Gel-like polymer composition obtained by polymerizing a monomer containing acid groups in the presence of a polyether compound

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns a method for producing a gel-like polymer composition, in which an [alpha],[beta]-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid is subject to radical polymerization in the presence of at least one polyether component, the gel-like polymer composition obtainable using this method and the use thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage application (under 35 U.S.C. § 371) of PCT/EP2014/064086, filed Jul. 2, 2014, which claims benefit of European Application No. 13174938.4, filed Jul. 3, 2013, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a polymer composition in gel form, in which an α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid is subjected to a free-radical polymerization in the presence of at least one polyether component, to the polymer composition in gel form obtainable by this process and to the use thereof.

STATE OF THE ART

In domestic detergents, washing compositions, cosmetics, and in formulations for industrial applications, polyethers or surfactants are frequently used together with polyacrylic acid, in which case polyacrylic acid assumes the role, for example, of an incrustation inhibitor or dispersant. The problem is that polyethers and surfactants are frequently of zero or only limited compatibility with polyacrylic acid in gel formulations, and so mixing results in phase separation or in precipitates, which greatly restricts the possible uses of at least one of the components. More particularly, it has not been possible to date to provide transparent gel formulations comprising polyetherols or surfactants containing polyether groups in combination with polymers containing acid groups and especially with polyacrylic acid. However, the consumer prefers formulations in gel form both because of their performance properties and for esthetic reasons.

For many current applications, gel-forming or film-forming polymer compositions have to fulfill a complex profile of demands.

The literature discloses numerous processes for preparing gels from polyacrylic acid. These gels, however, are usually water-insoluble, since they are based on crosslinked polyacrylic acid. Other gels are water-soluble but are based on copolymers of acrylic acid with hydrophobic monomers and therefore have lower performance as incrustation inhibitors or dispersants than pure polyacrylic acid. Further gels are based on high molecular weight polyacrylic acid, which is likewise not advantageous for use as an incrustation inhibitor or dispersant and increases the processing problems.

F. E. Bailey et al. describe, in Polymer Preprints, American Chemical Society, Division of Polymer Chemistry, 1960, vol. 1, issue 2, p. 202-205 and the literature cited therein, the formation of molecular association complexes of ethylene oxide polymers having a very high molecular weight with polymeric acids such as polyacrylic acid in aqueous solutions. The preparation of firm gels requires dissolution of the components in solvents, then mixing of these and removal of the solvent again, which is associated with additional process steps which make such a process uneconomic for practical use. The polymerization of acrylic acid in the presence of the ethylene oxide polymers is not described.

EP 0971997 B1 describes a liquid detergent formulation comprising a nonionic surfactant and an anionic polymer. The nonionic surfactant may be an ethoxylated C₈-C₁₈ alcohol and the anionic polymer may be polyacrylic acid. The polymer has a molecular weight of more than 100 000 g/mol. There is no description of production of the formulation by polymerizing at least one polymer containing acid groups in the presence of the nonionic surfactant.

EP 0 499 068 A1 describes reaction products of alkoxylates and vinylic monomers, at least some of which bear functional groups which can react with the OH groups of the alkoxylates in a condensation. These reaction products are prepared by either polymerizing the vinylic monomers in the presence of the alkoxylates and then subjecting the product of the polymerization to a condensation, or by first polymerizing the vinylic monomers and then subjecting the product of the polymerization to a condensation with the alkoxylates. In the case that acrylic acid is used as vinylic monomer, the reaction product in each case is thus an ester of polyacrylic acid. In the working examples, the alkoxylates used are exclusively EO-PO block copolymers having a high PO content and polytetrahydrofuran. The polymers described serve as emulsion breakers for rapid dewatering of crude oils. They are prepared by bulk polymerization in a first variant, in which case the end product is added as a solidified melt or after being taken up in a solvent for the crude oil emulsion. In a second variant, preparation is effected by solution polymerization in a solvent suitable for use as an emulsion breaker. Suitable solvents are aromatic, aliphatic and cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons, acetone, cyclohexanone, THF and dioxane. There is no description of polymers in gel form and the use thereof.

A similar process is described in DE 4326772 A1. Toluene or xylene is additionally used here as solvent. The use of aromatic solvents is undesirable for products which are to be used in consumer goods, since the complete removal of the solvent is very time-consuming and energy-intensive. The reaction products are liquids which are described as esterified polyacrylic acids. Ester formation runs counter to the effect of the polymer, for example as an incrustation inhibitor, and is undesirable in applications where the use of very substantially pure polyacrylic acid is required. This document does not describe use in formulations in gel form either.

X. Li et al. in Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry (2011), 15(6), 1271-1277, and J. H. Wu et al. in Advanced Materials, 2007, 19, 4006-4011, describe preparation processes for polyacrylic acid-polyethylene glycol gels for use in dye-sensitized solar cells. These publications teach the use of N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide as crosslinker in acrylic acid polymerization, so that the polymers obtained are not water-soluble. Moreover, the use of a crosslinker results in a very high molecular weight, which makes the polymers unsuitable for many applications, for example as incrustation inhibitors.

WO 2008/139151 A1 describes a process in which polyethylene glycol is mixed with acrylic acid, isobornyl acrylate and further components, and cured by UV exposure to give a solid gel. On the basis of the composition, it is apparent to the person skilled in the art that the gel is not water-soluble. The gels serve as an indicator that a data carrier, for example a computer-readable compact disk, has not been used before.

WO 2010/026178/A2 describes, on page 62 and in example 19, a precipitation polymerization in which acrylic acid is polymerized in the presence of glyceryl monostearate and an alkyl-terminated polyethylene glycol methacrylate. The latter is an associative monomer and not a surfactant containing polyether groups in the context of the present invention. The process additionally requires the use of a large amount of organic solvents based on a relatively small amount of acrylic acid and surfactant.

Lev Bromberg describes, in Journal of Physical Chemistry B (1998), 102, 11, 1956-1963, a material having thermoreversible gel formation, which is prepared by polymerizing acrylic acid in the presence of a PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymer. The reaction is effected in the absence of external solvents, in order to achieve a high proportion of branching and crosslinking in the products obtained. These are neither water-soluble nor transparent. Possible fields of use mentioned for these polymers, merely in quite general terms, are pharmacy and nutritional supplements (p. 1956, left-hand column, “Introduction”).

EP 0 639 592 A1 describes graft copolymers obtainable by polymerizing a (meth)acrylic acid-containing polymer composition in the presence of a polyether compound having more than 80 mol % of ethylene oxide units. The polymerization is effected essentially without solvent and at temperatures above 100° C. It is regarded as critical for the achievement of high grafting levels that the solvent content of the reaction mixture is never more than 5% by weight. The polymers obtained serve as builders for liquid washing compositions or, optionally after postcrosslinking, as water-absorbing resins.

WO 2004/099274 describes a process for preparing polymer mixtures by polymerizing monomers of the (meth)acrylic acid type in the presence of a compound having a polyalkylene glycol structure. The polymer mixtures obtained are to contain proportions of graft copolymers, the polyalkylene glycol component and the (meth)acrylic acid component remaining homogeneous in the mixture even after prolonged storage. The polymerization is necessarily effected in the presence of water having a high water content in the initial charge at the start of the reaction. The polymer mixtures obtained by the process are suitable for various detergent applications, especially for prevention of resoiling.

WO 2005/012378 describes aqueous dispersions of water-soluble polymers of anionic monomers and the use thereof as thickeners for aqueous systems. They are prepared by polymerizing anionic monomers in the presence of two water-soluble polymers from different classes, and these may be polyalkylene glycols among other polymers. Example 4 (page 19 lines 14-27) relates to the polymerization of acrylic acid in the presence of two different polypropylene glycols and of maltodextrin. The dispersions are used, inter alia, in personal care products and in washing and cleaning compositions. Products in gel form are not described.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a polymer composition in gel form and a process for preparation thereof, avoiding the above-described disadvantages of the prior art.

It has now been found that, surprisingly, this object is achieved when the polymer composition is prepared by subjecting a monomer composition based on at least one α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid to a free-radical polymerization in the presence of a polyether component.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention firstly provides a process for preparing a polymer composition in gel form, in which

-   a) a monomer composition M) is provided, comprising     -   A) at least one α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid,         and     -   B) less than 0.1% by weight, based on the total weight of the         monomer composition M), of crosslinking monomers having two or         more than two polymerizable α,β-ethylenically unsaturated double         bonds per molecule, -   b) the monomer composition M) provided in step a) is subjected to a     free-radical polymerization in the presence of at least one     polyether component PE) selected from polyetherols having a     number-average molecular weight of at least 200 g/mol and the mono-     and di-(C₁-C₆-alkyl ethers) thereof, surfactants containing     polyether groups and mixtures thereof.

In a specific embodiment, the at least one α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid A) is partly or fully replaced by at least one unsaturated sulfonic acid or at least one unsaturated phosphonic acid (=component C).

In a specific embodiment, the polyether component PE) comprises or the polyether component PE) consists of at least one polyetherol or a mono- or di-(C₁-C₂-alkyl ether) thereof comprising predominantly or exclusively ethylene oxide units as alkylene oxide units.

When the polyether component PE) comprises a polyetherol having repeat propylene oxide units or a mono- or di-(C₁-C₆-alkyl ether) of a polyetherol having repeat propylene oxide units, the proportion of these repeat propylene oxide units preferably averages not more than 18 units per molecule, more preferably not more than 17 units per molecule. The proportion of repeat propylene oxide units especially averages not more than 15 units per molecule, more especially not more than 10 units per molecule.

In a specific execution of the process according to the invention, the free-radical polymerization in step b) is additionally effected in the presence of a solvent S) selected from water, C₁-C₆-alkanols, polyols other than PE), the mono- and dialkyl ethers thereof, aprotic polar solvents and mixtures thereof. In a more specific execution of the process according to the invention, the free-radical polymerization in step b) is additionally effected in the presence of a solvent S) selected from water, C₁-C₆-alkanols, polyols other than PE), the mono- and dialkyl ethers thereof and mixtures thereof.

In a further specific embodiment, the reaction mixture during the polymerization in step b) and the polymer composition obtained in step b) are not subjected to any condensation with removal of a low molecular weight reaction product and/or in the presence of a condensation catalyst.

In another possible execution, condensation is permitted during and/or after the polymerization in step b). In this case, condensation is preferably effected without removing solvent. The polymer composition is in the form of a gel even after condensation.

The invention further provides a polymer composition in gel form, obtainable by a process as defined above and hereinafter.

In a preferred variant of the process according to the invention, a polymer composition is obtained in the form of a transparent gel. The invention therefore further provides a polymer composition, as defined above and hereinafter, in the form of a transparent gel.

Preferably, the inventive composition in gel form comprises polymer compositions at least 10% by weight, preferably at least 15% by weight, especially at least 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer composition, of at least one solvent. The solvent is preferably selected from the solvents S) as defined above and hereinafter.

A specific execution of the invention is therefore a polymer composition in gel form comprising at least 10% by weight, preferably at least 15% by weight, especially at least 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer composition, of at least one solvent S) selected from water, C₁-C₆-alkanols, polyols other than PE), the mono- and dialkyl ethers thereof and mixtures thereof.

The invention further provides for the use of a polymer composition as defined above and hereinafter

-   -   in washing and cleaning compositions,     -   in hygiene products,     -   in cosmetic compositions,     -   in pharmaceutical compositions,     -   in crop protection compositions,     -   in wetting agents,     -   in lacquers, coating compositions, adhesives, leather treatment         compositions or textile care compositions, etc.,     -   in the development and/or exploitation of underground mineral         oil and/or natural gas deposits.

The invention further provides a washing or cleaning composition comprising

-   a) at least one inventive polymer composition in gel form, as     defined above and hereinafter, or obtainable by a process as defined     above and hereinafter, -   b) at least one builder, -   c) optionally at least one enzyme, -   d) optionally at least one bleach, -   e) optionally water, -   f) optionally at least one thickener, and -   g) optionally at least one further additive, preferably selected     from the following additives other than a): surfactants, bases,     corrosion inhibitors, defoamers, dyes, fragrances, fillers,     solubilizers, organic solvents, electrolytes, pH modifiers, perfume     carriers, fluorescers, hydrotropes, antiredeposition agents, optical     brighteners, graying inhibitors, shrink inhibitors, crease     inhibitors, dye transfer inhibitors, antimicrobials, antioxidants,     corrosion inhibitors, antistats, ironing aids, hydrophobizing and     impregnating agents, swell and antislip agents, and UV absorbers.

The invention further provides a cleaning composition for the sanitary sector, comprising at least one inventive polymer composition in gel form, as defined above or hereinafter, or obtainable by a process as defined above and hereinafter, and at least one organic acid.

The invention further provides for the use of an adhesive composition, comprising or consisting of a polymer composition obtainable by a process as defined above and hereinafter. The inventive adhesive composition is suitable for a multitude of uses, for example for coated labels, especially plasticizer-free and/or self-adhesive and/or redetachable paper labels.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The process according to the invention and the polymer compositions obtained thereby have the following advantages:

-   -   The process of the invention is advantageously suitable for         preparation of compositions based on polymers of unsaturated         carboxylic acids and polyethers. In this context, it is possible         for the first time to provide gels and especially clear         transparent gels based on polyacrylic acid and polyethers.     -   The process according to the invention enables the substantial         or complete elimination of crosslinking monomers in the         preparation of the polymer compositions. These are therefore         advantageously water-soluble.     -   The polymer compositions obtained by the process according to         the invention are notable both for high compatibility between         polyether component and polyacrylic acid and for high         compatibility with further surfactants.     -   The process according to the invention is additionally suitable         for preparation of polymer compositions for adhesive         compositions. The provision of these specific polymer         compositions is possible through selection of a suitable glass         transition temperature and/or polyether component PE), as         explained in detail hereinafter.

The inventive polymer compositions are in the form of gels under standard conditions (20° C.). “Gel-like consistency” is shown by formulations which have a higher viscosity than a liquid and which are especially self-supporting, meaning that they retain any shape imparted to them without shape-stabilizing encasement. In contrast to solid formulations, however, formulations in gel form can be deformed or converted to a fluid form easily by heating and/or with application of shear forces. The viscosity of the polymer compositions in gel form at 20° C. is preferably within a range from greater than 600 to about 10 000 000 mPa·s, more preferably from 1000 to 1 000 000 mPa·s, especially from 2000 to 500 000 mPa·s. The viscosity at 20° C. and the viscosity profile as a function of temperature for the samples to be examined were examined by means of a rotary rheometer (DHR-1 from TA Instruments with Peltier system, plate/plate geometry, Ø 40 mm, h=1 mm) at temperatures of 20° C. to 80° C. Temperature ramp (γ=1% with M_(min)=100 μNm). Measurement temperature(s) of 80° C. to 20° C. and back, two runs each (cooling/heating rate 2 K/min). Measurement time 30 min per run.

In the context of this application, some compounds which can be derived from acrylic acid and methacrylic acid are abbreviated by insertion of the “(meth)” syllable into the compound derived from acrylic acid.

In the context of the present invention, C₁-C₆-alkyl is a linear or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 5 carbon atoms. Examples of these are methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, pentyl and positional isomers thereof.

C₇-C₃₀-Alkyl is a linear or branched alkyl radical having 6 to 30 carbon atoms. Examples thereof are heptyl, octyl, 2-ethyihexyl, nonyl, decyl, 2-propylheptyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl, henicosyl, docosyl, tricosyl, tetracosyl and positional isomers thereof.

The inventive polymer compositions are prepared by free-radical polymerization of the monomer composition M) in the presence of at least one polyether component PE) which generally does not have any copolymerizable double bond. This affords specific polymer compositions having advantageous properties. Without being bound to a theory, this may be attributable, for example, to an effect of the polyether component PE) as a protective colloid or emulsifier. This may also result, for example, from at least partial grafting onto the polyether component as graft base. However, mechanisms other than grafting are also conceivable. The inventive polymer compositions quite generally comprise the process products of free-radical polymerization, which are understood to mean, for example, graft polymers, homo- and copolymers of the monomers present in the monomer mixture M), mixtures of graft polymers with ungrafted compounds in the polyether component PE) and any desired mixtures.

In a specific preferred execution, during and after the polymerization in step b), the reaction mixture and the polymer composition obtained in step b) are not subjected to any condensation with removal of a low molecular weight reaction product and/or in the presence of a condensation catalyst. This is understood to mean that specifically no additional measures are conducted with the aim of increasing the ester group content of the polymer composition obtained by the process according to the invention. In another specific execution, ester formation is permitted during and/or after the polymerization in step b).

The inventive polymer composition is not in the form of a solid. Compositions in solid form are the subject of parallel applications. The present invention also does not relate to the use of a polymer composition in gel form in formulations for machine dishwashing (automatic dish washing, ADW).

For use in the form of a gel, preference is given to using inventive polymer compositions having a glass transition temperature T_(G) in the range from −100 to +150° C., preferably from −20 to +130° C.

For use in an adhesive composition, preference is given to using inventive polymer compositions having a low glass transition temperature. Preferably, the inventive polymer compositions for use in adhesive compositions have a glass transition temperature T_(G) in the range from −100 to +10° C., preferably from −80 to 0° C.

The glass transition temperature T_(G) control can in principle be controlled via the type and proportion of the monomers and the molecular weight. A further means of controlling the glass transition temperature T_(G) lies in the selection of the polyether component PE. The provision of an inventive polymer composition having the desired glass transition temperature T_(G) is within the ability of the person skilled in the art and can be checked by means of routine measurements. The glass transition temperatures (Tg) described in the context of this application can be determined by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The DSC analysis on one and the same sample is appropriately repeated once or twice, in order to ensure a defined thermal history of the polymer composition. The heating and cooling rates were 20 K/min.

In a preferred execution of the first variant, the inventive polymer compositions are in the form of a transparent gel. The transparency of a material is determined by its absorption and scattering characteristics, i.e. the light transmitted and the appearance looking through the material. The total transmission (transparency) is the ratio of transmitted light to incident light. The measure used for the transparency is the transmittance τ: it is the quotient of the luminous flux ϕ_(n) behind and ϕ_(v) in front of the material to be tested, and is reported in percent. This value comprises, as well as the absorption, also the scattering and reflection losses. The transmittance is generally determined in air and is reported as a function of wavelength.

In the context of the invention, the transparency (T_(L)) is determined at a wavelength of 500 nm. The reference parameter used for maximum transparency (T_(L) of 100%) is water.

Preferably, the inventive polymer composition in the form of a transparent gel has a T_(L) measured at 500 nm of at least 85%, more preferably of at least 90%, based on the transparency of water.

Monomer Composition M)

Carboxylic Acid Monomer A)

The α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid A) is preferably selected from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, α-chloroacrylic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid, Itaconic acid, citraconic acid, mesaconic acid, glutaconic acid, aconitic acid, fumaric acid and mixtures thereof. The monomers A) also include the salts of the aforementioned acids, especially the sodium, potassium and ammonium salts, and also the salts with amines. The monomers A) can be used as they are or as mixtures with one another. The proportions by weight stated all refer to the acid form.

Preferably, the at least one α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid is used in non-neutralized form for polymerization.

More preferably, component A) is selected from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and mixtures thereof.

More particularly, exclusively acrylic acid is used as component A).

Component A) is preferably used in an amount of 50% to 100% by weight, more preferably 60% to 100% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomer composition M).

In a preferred embodiment, the monomer composition M) consists to an extent of at least 80% by weight, preferably to an extent of at least 90% by weight, especially to an extent of at least 95% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomers used, of acrylic acid.

Crosslinker B)

The inventive polymer composition comprises essentially uncrosslinked polymers. The monomer composition M) used for preparation of the inventive polymer composition therefore comprises only small amounts, if any, of crosslinking monomers B). Crosslinkers in the context of the invention are compounds having two or more than two polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated double bonds per molecule.

Preferably, crosslinkers B) are used in an amount of 0% to 0.1% by weight, more preferably 0% to 0.05% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomer composition M). In a specific embodiment, the monomer composition M) does not comprise any crosslinking monomers B) having two or more than two polymerizable α,β-ethylenically unsaturated double bonds per molecule.

Suitable crosslinkers B) are, for example, acrylic esters, methacrylic esters, allyl ethers or vinyl ethers of at least dihydric alcohols. The OH groups of the parent alcohols may be fully or partly etherified or esterified; however, the crosslinkers comprise at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups.

Examples of the parent alcohols are dihydric alcohols such as 1,2-ethanediol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, but-2-ene-1,4-diol, 1,2-pentanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,10-decanediol, 1,2-dodecanediol, 1,12-dodecanediol, neopentyl glycol, 3-methylpentane-1,5-diol, 2,5-dimethyl-1,3-hexanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, 1,2-cyclohexanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanediol, 1,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane, hydroxypivalic acid neopentyl glycol monoester, 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxypropyl)phenyl]propane, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, tetrapropylene glycol, 3-thiopentane-1,5-diol, and polyethylene glycols, polypropylene glycols and polytetrahydrofurans each having molecular weights of 200 to 10 000 g/mol. Apart from the homopolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, it is also possible to use block copolymers of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide or copolymers incorporating ethylene oxide and propylene oxide groups. Examples of parent alcohols having more than two OH groups are trimethylolpropane, glycerol, pentaerythritol, 1,2,5-pentanetriol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, triethoxycyanuric acid, sorbitan, sugars such as sucrose, glucose, mannose. The polyhydric alcohols can of course also be used after reaction with ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, in the form of the corresponding ethoxylates and propoxylates respectively. The polyhydric alcohols can also first be converted to the corresponding glycidyl ethers by reaction with epichlorohydrin.

Further suitable crosslinkers B) are the vinyl esters or the esters of monohydric unsaturated alcohols with ethylenically unsaturated C₃-C₆-carboxylic acids, for example acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid or fumaric acid. Examples of such alcohols are allyl alcohol, 1-buten-3-ol, 5-hexen-1-ol, 1-octen-3-ol, 9 decen-1-ol, dicyclopentenyl alcohol, 10-undecen-1-ol, cinnamyl alcohol, citronellol, crotyl alcohol or cis-9-octadecen-1-ol. It is also possible to esterify the monohydric, unsaturated alcohols with polybasic carboxylic acids, for example malonic acid, tartaric acid, trimellitic acid, phthalic acid, terephthalic acid, citric acid or succinic acid.

Further suitable crosslinkers B) are esters of unsaturated carboxylic acids with the above-described polyhydric alcohols, for example oleic acid, crotonic acid, cinnamic acid or 10-undecenoic acid.

Suitable crosslinkers B) are also straight-chain or branched, linear or cyclic, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons having at least two double bonds which, in the case of aliphatic hydrocarbons, must not be conjugated, e.g. divinylbenzene, divinyltoluene, octa-1,7-diene, deca-1,9-diene, 4-vinyl-1-cyclohexene, trivinylcyclohexane or polybutadienes having molecular weights of 200 to 20 000 g/mol.

Also suitable as crosslinkers B) are the acrylamides, methacrylamides and N-allylamines of at least difunctional amines. Such amines are, for example, 1,2-diaminomethane, 1,2-diaminoethane, 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,4-diaminobutane, 1,6-diaminohexane, 1,12-dodecanediamine, piperazine, diethylenetriamine or isophoronediamine. Likewise suitable are the amides of allylamine and unsaturated carboxylic acids such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid, or at least dibasic carboxylic acids as described above.

Also suitable as crosslinkers B) are triallylamine and triallylmonoalkylammonium salts, e.g. triallylmethylammonium chloride or methylsulfate.

Also suitable are N-vinyl compounds of urea derivatives, at least difunctional amides, cyanurates or urethanes, for example of urea, ethyleneurea, propyleneurea or tartaramide, e.g. N,N′-divinylethyleneurea or N,N′-divinylpropyleneurea.

Further suitable crosslinkers B) are divinyldioxane, tetraallylsilane or tetravinylsilane.

Unsaturated Sulfonic or Phosphonic Acids C)

The monomer composition M) may comprise at least one unsaturated sulfonic acid or phosphonic acid C) instead of component A). The monomer composition M) may also additionally comprise at least one unsaturated sulfonic acid or phosphonic acid as component C). Component C) is preferably selected from 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, vinylsulfonic acid, allylsulfonic acid, sulfoethyl acrylate, sulfoethyl methacrylate, sulfopropyl acrylate, sulfopropyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxy-3-acryloyloxypropylsulfonic acid, 2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxypropylsulfonic acid, styrenesulfonic acid, vinylphosphonic acid, allylphosphonic acid and mixtures thereof.

A preferred component C) is 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid.

The monomers C) also include the salts of the aforementioned acids, especially the sodium, potassium and ammonium salts, and also the salts with amines. The monomers C) can be used as they are or as mixtures with one another. The proportions by weight stated all refer to the acid form.

Preferably, the monomer composition M) consists to an extent of at least 80% by weight, preferably to an extent of at least 90% by weight, especially to an extent of at least 95% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomer composition M), of monomers A) and C). When the monomer composition M) comprises at least one monomer C), it is preferably used in an amount of 0.1 to 50% by weight, more preferably 1% to 25% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomer composition M).

Monomer Containing Ether Groups D)

The monomer composition M) may additionally comprise at least one monomer D) selected from compounds of the general formulae (I.a) and (I.b)

in which the sequence of the alkylene oxide units is arbitrary, k and l are each independently an integer from 0 to 1000, where the sum of k and l is at least 2, preferably at least 5, R¹ is hydrogen or C₁-C₈-alkyl, R² is hydrogen, C₁-C₃₀-alkyl, C₂-C₃₀-alkenyl or C₅-C₈-cycloalkyl, X is O or a group of the formula NR³ in which R³ is H, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or hetaryl.

In the formulae I.a) and I.b), k is preferably an integer from 1 to 500, more preferably 2 to 400, especially 3 to 250. Preferably, l is an integer from 0 to 100.

Preferably, R¹ in the formula I.a) is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl or n-hexyl, especially hydrogen, methyl or ethyl.

Preferably, R² in the formulae I.a) and I.b) is n-octyl, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl, ethylhexyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl, n-undecyl, tridecyl, myristyl, pentadecyl, palmityl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, arachinyl, behenyl, lignoceryl, cerotinyl, melissyl, palmitoleyl, oleyl, linoleyl, linolenyl, stearyl, lauryl.

Preferably, X in the formula I.a) is O or NH, especially O.

Suitable polyether acrylates I.a) are, for example, the polycondensation products of the aforementioned α,β-ethylenically unsaturated mono- and/or dicarboxylic acids and the acid chlorides, acid amides and acid anhydrides thereof with polyetherols. Suitable polyetherols can be prepared easily by reacting ethylene oxide, propylene 1,2-oxide and/or epichlorohydrin with a starter molecule such as water or a short-chain alcohol R²—OH. The alkylene oxides can be used individually, alternately in succession, or as a mixture. The polyether acrylates I.a) can be used alone or in mixtures to prepare the polymers used in accordance with the invention.

Suitable allyl alcohol alkoxylates I.b) are, for example, the etherification products of allyl chloride with appropriate polyetherols. Suitable polyetherols can be prepared easily by reacting ethylene oxide, propylene 1,2-oxide and/or epichlorohydrin with a starter alcohol R²—OH. The alkylene oxides can be used individually, alternately in succession, or as a mixture. The allyl alcohol alkoxylates I.b) can be used alone or in mixtures to prepare the polymers used in accordance with the invention.

Monomers D) used are especially methyl diglycol acrylate, methyl diglycol methacrylate, ethyl diglycol acrylate or ethyl diglycol methacrylate. Preference is given to ethyl diglycol acrylate.

The monomer composition M) comprises preferably 0% to 50% by weight, more preferably 0% to 25% by weight, especially 0% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomer composition M), of at least one monomer containing ether groups D). When the monomer composition M) comprises at least one monomer D), then preferably in an amount of 0.1% to 50% by weight, more preferably 1% to 25% by weight, especially 1.5% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomer composition M).

Further Monomers E) to O)

The monomer composition M) may additionally comprise at least one further monomer other than monomers A) to D). Preferably, the monomer composition M) additionally comprises at least one comonomer selected from

-   E) vinylaromatics, -   F) C₂-C₈ monoolefins, nonaromatic hydrocarbons having at least two     conjugated double bonds, -   G) esters of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic     acids with C₁-C₂₀-alkanols, -   H) compounds having one free-radically polymerizable     α,β-ethylenically unsaturated double bond and at least one     cationogenic and/or cationic group per molecule, -   I) esters of vinyl alcohol or allyl alcohol with     C₁-C₃₀-monocarboxylic acids, -   K) monomers containing amide groups, -   L) esters of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic     acids with C₂-C₃₀-alkanediols, amides of α,β-ethylenically     unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic acids with C₂-C₃₀-amino alcohols     having a primary or secondary amino group, -   M) α,β-ethylenically unsaturated nitriles, -   N) vinyl halides, vinylidene halides, -   O) monomers having urea groups,     and mixtures thereof.

The monomer composition M) may preferably comprise each of the further monomers E) to O) in an amount of 0% to 50% by weight, more preferably 0% to 25% by weight, especially 0% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomer composition M). When the monomer composition M) comprises at least one monomer E) to O), then preferably each in an amount of 0.1% to 50% by weight, more preferably 1% to 25% by weight, especially 1.5% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomer composition M). In a specific execution, the monomer composition M) does not comprise any further monomers E) to 0).

Monomer E)

Preferred vinylaromatics E) are styrene, 2-methylstyrene, 4-methylstyrene, 2-(n-butyl)styrene, 4-(n-butyl)styrene, 4-(n-decyl)styrene and mixtures thereof. Particular preference is given to styrene and 2-methylstyrene, especially styrene.

Monomer F)

Preferred monomers F) are ethene, propene, butene, isobutene, diisobutene, isoprene, 1,3-butadiene and mixtures thereof.

Monomer G)

Suitable esters of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic acids with C₁-C₃₀-alkanols are, for example, methyl (meth)acrylate, methyl ethacrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl ethacrylate, n-propyl (meth)acrylate, isopropyl (meth)acrylate, n-butyl (meth)acrylate, tert-butyl (meth)acrylate, tert-butyl ethacrylate, n-pentyl (meth)acrylate, n-hexyl (meth)acrylate, n-heptyl (meth)acrylate, n-octyl (meth)acrylate, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl (meth)acrylate, ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, n-nonyl (meth)acrylate, n-decyl (meth)acrylate, n-undecyl (meth)acrylate, tridecyl (meth)acrylate, myristyl (meth)acrylate,

pentadecyl (meth)acrylate, palmityl (meth)acrylate, heptadecyl (meth)acrylate, nonadecyl (meth)acrylate, arachinyl (meth)acrylate, behenyl (meth)acrylate, lignoceryl (meth)acrylate, cerotinyl (meth)acrylate, melissyl (meth)acrylate, palmitoleyl (meth)acrylate, oleyl (meth)acrylate, linoleyl (meth)acrylate, linolenyl (meth)acrylate, stearyl (meth)acrylate, lauryl (meth)acrylate and mixtures thereof. Monomer H)

The cationogenic and/or cationic groups of component H) are preferably nitrogen-containing groups such as primary, secondary and tertiary amino groups, and quaternary ammonium groups. Preferably, the nitrogen-containing groups are tertiary amino groups or quaternary ammonium groups. Charged cationic groups can be produced from the amine nitrogens either by protonation or by quaternization with acids or alkylating agents. Examples of these include carboxylic acids such as lactic acid, or mineral acids such as phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid, and examples of alkylating agents include C₁-C₄-alkyl halides or sulfates, such as ethyl chloride, ethyl bromide, methyl chloride, methyl bromide, dimethyl sulfate and diethyl sulfate. A protonation or quaternization may generally either precede or follow the polymerization.

Preferably, component H) is selected from esters of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic acids with amino alcohols which may be mono- or dialkylated on the amine nitrogen, amides of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic acids with diamines having at least one primary or secondary amino group, N,N-diallylamine, N,N-diallyl-N-alkylamines and derivatives thereof, vinyl- and allyl-substituted nitrogen heterocycles, vinyl- and allyl-substituted heteroaromatic compounds, and mixtures thereof.

Preferred monomers H) are the esters of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic acids with amino alcohols. Preferred amino alcohols are C₂-C₁₂ amino alcohols with C₁-C₈ mono- or dialkylation on the amine nitrogen. Suitable acid components of these esters are, for example, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, crotonic acid, maleic anhydride, monobutyl maleate and mixtures thereof. The acid components used are preferably acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and mixtures thereof.

Preferred monomers H) are N-methylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, N-ethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, N-(n-propyl)aminoethyl (meth)acrylate, N-(tert-butyl)aminoethyl (meth)acrylate, N,N-dimethylaminomethyl (meth)acrylate, N,N-dimethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, N,N-diethylaminomethyl (meth)acrylate, N,N-diethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, N,N-dimethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylate, N,N-diethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylate and N,N-dimethylaminocyclohexyl (meth)acrylate.

Suitable monomers H) are additionally the amides of the aforementioned α,β-ethylenically unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic acids with diamines having at least one primary or secondary amino group. Preference is given to diamines having one tertiary amino group and one primary or secondary amino group.

Examples of preferred monomers H) are N-[tert-butylaminoethyl](meth)acrylamide, N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]acrylamide, N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]methacrylamide, N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]acrylamide, N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]methacrylamide, N-[4-(dimethylamino)butyl]acrylamide, N-[4-(dimethylamino)butyl]methacrylamide, N-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]acrylamide, N-[4-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl]acrylamide and N-[4-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl]methacrylamide.

In a suitable embodiment, component H) comprises, as vinyl-substituted heteroaromatic compound, at least one N-vinylimidazole compound. In a specific embodiment, component H) is selected from N-vinylimidazole compounds and mixtures comprising at least one N-vinylimidazole compound.

Suitable N-vinylimidazole compounds are compounds of the formula (III)

51000005 in which R³ to R⁵ are each independently hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl or phenyl. Preferably, R¹ to R³ are hydrogen.

Additionally suitable are N-vinylimidazole compounds of the general formula (IV)

in which R³ to R⁵ are each independently hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl or phenyl.

Examples of compounds of the general formula (IV) are given in the table below:

TABLE R³ R⁴ R⁵ H H H Me H H H Me H H H Me Me Me H H Me Me Me H Me Ph H H H Ph H H H Ph Ph Me H Ph H Me Me Ph H H Ph Me H Me Ph Me H Ph Me = methyl Ph = phenyl

Preferred monomers H) are 1-vinylimidazole (N-vinylimidazole) and mixtures comprising N-vinylimidazole.

Suitable monomers H) are also the compounds obtainable by protonating or quaternizing the aforementioned N-vinylimidazole compounds. Examples of such charged monomers H) are quaternized vinylimidazoles, in particular 3-methyl-1-vinylimidazolium chloride, methosulfate and ethosulfate. Suitable acids and alkylating agents are those listed above. Preference is given to a protonation or quaternization after the polymerization.

Suitable monomers H) are additionally vinyl- and allyl-substituted nitrogen heterocycles other than vinylimidazoles, such as 2- and 4-vinylpyridine, 2- and 4-allylpyridine, and the salts thereof.

Monomer I)

Suitable esters of vinyl alcohol with C₁-C₃₀-monocarboxylic acids are, for example, methyl vinyl ester, ethyl vinyl ester, n-propyl vinyl ester, isopropyl vinyl ester, n-butyl vinyl ester,

tert-butyl vinyl ester, n-pentyl vinyl ester, n-hexyl vinyl ester, n-heptyl vinyl ester, n-octyl vinyl ester, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl vinyl ester, ethylhexyl vinyl ester, n-nonyl vinyl ester, n-decyl vinyl ester, n-undecyl vinyl ester, tridecyl vinyl ester, myristyl vinyl ester, pentadecyl vinyl ester, palmityl vinyl ester, heptadecyl vinyl ester, octadecyl vinyl ester, nonadecyl vinyl ester, arachinyl vinyl ester, behenyl vinyl ester, lignoceryl vinyl ester, cerotyl vinyl ester, melissyl vinyl ester, palmitoleyl vinyl ester, oleyl vinyl ester, linoleyl vinyl ester, linolenyl vinyl ester, stearyl vinyl ester, lauryl vinyl ester and mixtures thereof. Monomer K)

Suitable monomers containing amide groups K) are compounds of the general formula (V)

where one of the R⁶ to R⁸ radicals is a group of the formula CH₂═CR⁹— where R⁹═H or C₁-C₄-alkyl and the other R⁶ to R⁸ radicals are each independently H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or hetaryl, where R⁶ and R⁷ together with the amide group to which they are bonded may also be a lactam having 5 to 8 ring atoms, where R⁷ and R⁸ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded may also be a five- to seven-membered heterocycle.

Preferably, the compounds of component K) are selected from primary amides of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acids, N-vinylamides of saturated monocarboxylic acids, N-vinyllactams, N-alkyl- and N,N-dialkylamides of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acids and mixtures thereof.

Preferred monomers K) are N-vinyllactams and derivatives thereof which may have, for example, one or more C₁-C₆-alkyl substituents such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, etc. These include, for example, N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-vinylpiperidine, N-vinylcaprolactam, N-vinyl-5-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-vinyl-5-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-vinyl-6-methyl-2-piperidone, N-vinyl-6-ethyl-2-piperidone, N-vinyl-7-methyl-2-caprolactam, N-vinyl-7-ethyl-2-caprolactam, etc.

Particular preference is given to using N-vinylpyrrolidone and/or N-vinylcaprolactam.

Suitable monomers K) are additionally acrylamide and methacrylamide.

Suitable N-alkyl- and N,N-dialkylamides of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acids are, for example, methyl(meth)acrylamide, methylethacrylamide, ethyl(meth)acrylamide, ethylethacrylamide, n-propyl(meth)acrylamide, isopropyl(meth)acrylamide, n-butyl(meth)acrylamide, tert-butyl(meth)acrylamide, tert-butylethacrylamide, n-pentyl(meth)acrylamide, n-hexyl(meth)acrylamide, n-heptyl(meth)acrylamide, n-octyl(meth)acrylamide, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl(meth)acrylamide, ethylhexyl(meth)acrylamide, n-nonyl(meth)acrylamide, n-decyl(meth)acrylamide, n-undecyl(meth)acrylamide, tridecyl(meth)acrylamide, myristyl(meth)acrylamide, pentadecyl(meth)acrylamide, palmityl(meth)acrylamide, heptadecyl(meth)acrylamide, nonadecyl(meth)acrylamide, arachinyl(meth)acrylamide, behenyl(meth)acrylamide, lignoceryl(meth)acrylamide, cerotinyl(meth)acrylamide, melissyl(meth)acrylamide, palmitoleyl(meth)acrylamide, oleyl(meth)acrylamide, linoleyl(meth)acrylamide, linolenyl(meth)acrylamide, stearyl(meth)acrylamide, lauryl(meth)acrylamide, N-methyl-N-(n-octyl)(meth)acrylamide, N,N-di(n-octyl)(meth)acrylamide and mixtures thereof.

Open-chain N-vinylamide compounds suitable as monomers K) are, for example, N-vinylformamide, N-vinyl-N-methylformamide, N-vinylacetamide, N-vinyl-N-methylacetamide, N-vinyl-N-ethylacetamide, N-vinylpropionamide, N-vinyl-N-methylpropionamide, N-vinylbutyramide and mixtures thereof. Preference is given to using N-vinylformamide.

Monomer L)

Suitable esters of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic acids with C₂-C₃₀-alkanediols are 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl ethacrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl acrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, 3-hydroxybutyl acrylate, 3-hydroxybutyl methacrylate, 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate, 4-hydroxybutyl methacrylate, 6-hydroxyhexyl acrylate, 6-hydroxyhexyl methacrylate, 3-hydroxy-2-ethylhexyl acrylate, 3-hydroxy-2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, etc.

Suitable amides of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic acids with C₂-C₃₀-amino alcohols having a primary or secondary amino group are 2-hydroxyethylacrylamide, 2 hydroxyethylmethacrylamide, 2-hydroxyethylethacrylamide, 2-hydroxypropylacrylamide, 2-hydroxypropylmethacrylamide, 3-hydroxypropylacrylamide, 3-hydroxypropylmethacrylamide, 3 hydroxybutylacrylamide, 3-hydroxybutylmethacrylamide, 4-hydroxybutylacrylamide, 4-hydroxybutylmethacrylamide, 6-hydroxyhexylacrylamide, 6-hydroxyhexylmethacrylamide, 3-hydroxy-2-ethylhexylacrylamide and 3-hydroxy-2-ethylhexylmethacrylamide.

Monomer M)

Suitable α,β-ethylenically unsaturated nitriles are acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile.

Monomer N)

Suitable vinyl halides and vinylidene halides are vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, vinyl fluoride, vinylidene fluoride and mixtures thereof.

Monomer O)

Suitable monomers O) having urea groups are N-vinylurea, N-allylurea or derivatives of imidazolidin-2-one. These comprise N-vinyl- and N-allylimidazolidin-2-one, N-vinyloxyethylimidazolidin-2-one, N-(2-(meth)acrylamidoethyl)imidazofidin-2-one, N-(2-(meth)acryloyloxyethyl)imidazolidin-2-one (i.e. 2-ureido(meth)acrylate), N-[2-((meth)acryloyloxyacetamido)ethyl]imidazolidin-2-one, etc.

Preferably, in step a), a monomer composition M) is provided, comprising

-   -   acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid (=monomer A),     -   optionally at least one monomer containing ether groups,         preferably selected from methyldiglycol acrylate, methyldiglycol         methacrylate, ethyldiglycol acrylate, ethyldiglycol methacrylate         and mixtures thereof (=monomer D),     -   optionally acrylamide and/or methacrylamide (=monomer K),     -   optionally at least one ester of (meth)acrylic acid with a         C₂-C₃₀-alkanediol, preferably selected from 2-hydroxyethyl         acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxy         ethylethacrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl         methacrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl acrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl         methacrylate, 3-hydroxybutyl acrylate, 3-hydroxybutyl         methacrylate, 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate, 4-hydroxybutyl         methacrylate, 6-hydroxyhexyl acrylate, 6-hydroxyhexyl         methacrylate, 3-hydroxy-2-ethylhexyl acrylate,         3-hydroxy-2-ethylhexyl methacrylate and mixtures thereof         (=monomer L).

In a preferred execution, in step a), a monomer composition M) consisting of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid is provided.

In a further preferred execution, in step a), a monomer composition M) is provided, consisting of

-   -   acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid, and     -   at least one monomer containing ether groups, selected from         methyldiglycol acrylate, methyldiglycol methacrylate,         ethyldiglycol acrylate, ethyldiglycol methacrylate and mixtures         thereof.

In a further preferred execution, in step a), a monomer composition M) is provided, consisting of

-   -   acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid, and     -   an ester of (meth)acrylic acid with a C₂-C₃₀-alkanediol,         selected from 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl         methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl ethacrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl         acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl         acrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, 3-hydroxybutyl acrylate,         3-hydroxybutyl methacrylate, 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate,         4-hydroxybutyl methacrylate, 6-hydroxyhexyl acrylate,         6-hydroxyhexyl methacrylate, 3-hydroxy-2-ethylhexyl acrylate,         3-hydroxy-2-ethylhexyl methacrylate and mixtures thereof.

In a further preferred execution, in step a), a monomer composition M) is provided, consisting of

-   -   acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid, and     -   acrylamide and/or methacrylamide.         Polyether Component PE)

Suitable polyether components PE) are polyetherols having a number-average molecular weight of at least 200 g/mol and the mono- and di(C₁-C₆-alkyl ethers) thereof.

Suitable polyetherols and the mono- and di(C₁-C₆-alkyl ethers) thereof may be linear or branched, preferably linear. Suitable polyetherols and the mono- and di(C₁-C₆-alkyl ethers) thereof generally have a number-average molecular weight in the range from about 200 to 100 000, preferably 300 to 50 000, more preferably 500 to 40 000. Suitable polyetherols are, for example, water-soluble or water-dispersible nonionic polymers having repeat alkylene oxide units. Preferably, the proportion of repeat alkylene oxide units is at least 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the compound. Suitable polyetherols are polyalkylene glycols, such as polyethylene glycols, polypropylene glycols, polytetrahydrofurans and alkylene oxide copolymers. Suitable alkylene oxides for preparation of alkylene oxide copolymers are, for example, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, epichlorohydrin, 1,2- and 2,3-butylene oxide. Suitable examples are copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, copolymers of ethylene oxide and butylene oxide, and copolymers of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and at least one butylene oxide. The alkylene oxide copolymers may comprise the copolymerized alkylene oxide units in random distribution or in the form of blocks. Preferably, the proportion of repeat units derived from ethylene oxide in the ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymers is 40% to 99% by weight. Particularly preferred polyether components PE) are ethylene oxide homopolymers and ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymers.

Suitable polyether components PE) are additionally the mono- and di(C₁-C₂-alkyl ethers) of the above-described polyetherols. Preference is given to polyalkylene glycol monomethyl ethers and polyalkylene glycol dimethyl ethers.

Suitable polyether components PE) are additionally surfactants containing polyether groups. In general, nonionic and ionic surfactants having at least one nonpolar group and at least one polar group and comprising a polyether group are suitable.

The surfactants containing polyether groups PE) are preferably selected from alkyl polyoxyalkylene ethers, aryl polyoxyalkylene ethers, alkylaryl polyoxyalkylene ethers, alkoxylated animal and/or vegetable fats and/or oils, fatty amine alkoxylates, fatty acid amide alkoxylates, fatty acid diethanolamide alkoxylates, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, alkyl polyether sulfates, aryl polyether sulfates, alkylaryl polyether sulfates, alkyl polyether sulfonates, aryl polyether sulfonates, alkylaryl polyether sulfonates, alkyl polyether phosphates, aryl polyether phosphates, alkylaryl polyether phosphates, glyceryl ether sulfonates, glyceryl ether sulfates, monoglyceride (ether) sulfates, fatty acid amide ether sulfates, polyoxyalkylene sorbitan fatty acid esters and mixtures thereof.

The preferred nonionic surfactants surfactants containing polyether groups PE) are, for example:

-   -   alkyl polyoxyalkylene ethers which derive from low molecular         weight C₃-C₆ alcohols or from C₇-C₃₀ fatty alcohols. The ether         component here may be derived from ethylene oxide units,         propylene oxide units, 1,2-butylene oxide units, 1,4-butylene         oxide units and random copolymers and block copolymers thereof.         Suitable nonionic surfactants comprise, inter alia, surfactants         of the general formula (VI)         R¹⁰—O—(CH₂CH₂O)_(x)—(CHR¹¹CH₂O)_(y)—R¹²  (VI)     -   in which R¹⁰ is a linear or branched alkyl radical having 6 to         22 carbon atoms, R¹¹ and R¹² are each independently hydrogen or         a linear or branched alkyl radical         -   having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or H, where R¹² is preferably             methyl, and x and y are each independently 0 to 300.             Preferably, x=1 to 100 and y=0 to 30.     -   These especially also include fatty alcohol alkoxylates and oxo         alcohol alkoxylates, such as isotridecyl alcohol polyoxyethylene         ethers and oleyl alcohol polyoxyethylene ethers.     -   surfactants containing hydroxyl groups of the general formula         (VII)         R¹³—O—(CH₂CH₂O)_(s)—(CH₂CH₂CH₂O)_(t)—(CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂O)_(u)—(CH₂CHR¹⁴O)_(v)—CH₂CH(OH)R¹⁵           (VII)     -   where     -   the sequence of the alkylene oxide units in the compounds of the         formula (VII) is arbitrary,     -   s, t, u and v are each independently an integer from 0 to 500,         where the sum of s, t, u and v is >0,     -   R¹³ and R¹⁵ are each independently a straight-chain or branched         saturated C₁-C₄₀-alkyl radical or a mono- or polyunsaturated         C₂-C₄₀-alkenyl radical, and     -   R¹⁴ is selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl and         n-butyl.     -   In the compounds of the general formula (VII), the sum of s, t,         u and v is preferably a value of 10 to 300, more preferably of         15 to 200 and especially of 20 to 150.     -   Preferably, t and u are each 0. In that case, the sum of s and v         is preferably a value of 10 to 300, more preferably of 15 to 200         and especially of 20 to 150.     -   In the compounds of the general formula (VII), R¹³ and R¹⁵ are         each independently a straight-chain or branched saturated         C₂-C₃₀-alkyl radical. At the same time, R¹³ and R¹⁵ may also be         mixtures of different alkyl radicals.

In the compounds of the general formula (VII), R¹⁴ is preferably methyl or ethyl, especially methyl.

A preferred execution is surfactants containing hydroxyl groups of the general formula (VII.1) R¹³—O—(CH₂CH₂)_(s)—(CH₂CH(CH₃)O)_(v)—CH₂CH(OH)R¹⁵  (VII.1)

-   -   where     -   the sequence of the —(CH₂CH₂O)— and the (CH₂CH(CH₃)O)— units is         arbitrary,     -   s and v are each independently an integer from 0 to 500, where         the sum of s and v is >0,     -   R¹³ and R¹⁵ are each independently a straight-chain saturated         C₁-C₃₀-alkyl radical or a branched saturated C₃-C₃₀-alkyl         radical or a mono- or polyunsaturated C₂-C₃₀-alkenyl radical.     -   In the compounds of the general formula (VII.1), the sum of s         and v is preferably a value of 10 to 300, more preferably of 15         to 200 and especially of 20 to 150.     -   The group of these nonionic surfactants includes, for example,         hydroxy mixed ethers of the general formula         (C₆₋₂₂alkyl)-CH(OH)CH₂O-(EO)₂₀₋₁₂₀—(C₂₋₂₆-alkyl),     -   alcohol polyoxyalkylene esters of the general formula (VIII)         R¹⁶—O—(CH₂CH₂O)_(p)—(CH₂CHR¹⁷O)_(q)—C(═O)R¹⁸  (VIII)     -   where     -   the sequence of the alkylene oxide units in the compounds of the         formula (VIII) is arbitrary,     -   p and q are each independently an integer from 0 to 500, where         the sum of p and q is >0,     -   R¹⁶ and R¹⁸ are each independently a straight-chain or branched         saturated C₁-C₄₀-alkyl radical or a mono- or polyunsaturated         C₂-C₄₀-alkenyl radical, and     -   R¹⁷ is selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl and         n-butyl.     -   In the compounds of the general formula (VIII), the sum of p and         q is preferably a value of 10 to 300, more preferably of 15 to         200 and especially of 20 to 150.     -   In the compounds of the general formula (VIII), R¹⁶ and R¹⁸ are         each independently a straight-chain or branched saturated         C₄-C₃₀-alkyl radical. At the same time, R¹⁶ and R¹⁸ may also be         mixtures of different alkyl radicals.     -   In the compounds of the general formula (VIII), R¹⁷ is         preferably methyl or ethyl, especially methyl.     -   These include, for example, lauryl alcohol polyoxyethylene         acetate.     -   alkylaryl alcohol polyoxyethylene ethers, for example         octylphenol polyoxyethylene ethers,     -   alkoxylated animal and/or vegetable fats and/or oils, for         example corn oil ethoxylates, castor oil ethoxylates, tallow fat         ethoxylates,     -   alkylphenol alkoxylates, for example ethoxylated isooctyl-,         octyl- or nonylphenol, tributylphenol polyoxyethylene ether,     -   fatty amine alkoxylates, fatty acid amide and fatty acid         diethanolamide alkoxylates, especially ethoxylates thereof,     -   polyoxyalkylene sorbitan fatty acid esters.

One example of an alkyl polyether sulfate is sodium dodecyl poly(oxyethylene) sulfate (sodium lauryl ether sulfate, SLES). A preferred commercially available modified fatty alcohol polyglycol ether is a polyethylene oxide C_(x)H_(2x+1)/C_(y)H_(2y+1)-terminated at either end and having a free OH group and x, y=6-14.

Solvent S)

The free-radical polymerization in step b) can be effected in the presence of a solvent S) selected from water, C₁-C₆-alkanols, polyols other than PE), the mono- and dialkyl ethers thereof, aprotic polar solvents and mixtures thereof.

Suitable aprotic polar solvents are pyrrolidones and pyrrolidone derivatives. These include especially 2-pyrrolidone (γ-butyrolactam) and N-methylpyrrolidone.

Preferably, the free-radical polymerization in step b) is effected in the presence of a solvent S) selected from water, C₁-C₆-alkanols, polyols other than PE), the mono- and dialkyl ethers thereof, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable polyols and the mono- and dialkyl ethers thereof also comprise alkylene glycol mono(C₁-C₄-alkyl) ethers, alkylene glycol di(C₁-C₄-alkyl)ethers, oligoalkylene glycols having a number-average molecular weight of less than 200 g/mol and the mono(C₁-C₄-alkyl) ethers and di(C₁-C₄-alkyl) ethers thereof.

The solvent S) is preferably selected from water, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol mono(C₁-C₄-alkyl) ethers, ethylene di(C₁-C₄-alkyl) glycol ethers, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol mono(C₁-C₄-alkyl) ethers, 1,2-propylene glycol di(C₁-C₄-alkyl) ethers, glycerol, polyglycerols, 2-pyrrolidone, N-methylpyrrolidone, oligoalkylene glycols having a number-average molecular weight of less than 200 g/mol and mixtures thereof.

Suitable oligoethylene glycols are commercially available under the CTFA designations PEG-6, PEG-8, PEG-12, PEG-6-32, PEG-20, PEG-150, PEG-7M, PEG-12M and PEG-115M. These especially include the Pluriol E® products from BASF SE. Suitable alkyl polyalkylene glycols are the corresponding Plurlol A . . . E® products from BASF. SE. Preference is given to the isomeric dipropylene glycols such as 1,1′-oxydi-2-propanol, 2,2′-oxydi-1-propanol, 2-(2-hydroxypropoxy)-1-propanol and mixtures thereof.

The solvent S) is more preferably selected from water, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,2-dipropylene glycol and mixtures thereof.

In a specific embodiment, the solvent S) used is selected from water and a mixture of water and at least one solvent S) other than water, selected from ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,2-dipropylene glycol and mixtures thereof.

In a specific embodiment, the free-radical polymerization in step c) is effected in the presence of a solvent S) consisting to an extent of at least 50% by weight, preferably to an extent of at least 75% by weight, especially to an extent of at least 90% by weight, based on the total weight of the solvent S), of water. More particularly, the free-radical polymerization in step c) is effected in the presence of a solvent S) consisting entirely of water.

Preferably, the polymer composition in gel form comprises at least 10% by weight, preferably at least 15% by weight, especially at least 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer composition, of at least one solvent S).

Preferably, the polymer composition in gel form comprises 10% to 90% by weight, preferably 15% to 80% by weight, especially 20% to 70% by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer composition, of at least one solvent S).

Preparation of the Inventive Polymer Compositions

The preparation of the inventive polymer compositions comprises a free-radical polymerization of the monomer composition M) in the presence of at least one polyether component PE). It is preferably conducted in a feed method. This generally involves metering at least the monomers in liquid form into the reaction mixture. Monomers liquid under the metering conditions can be fed into the reaction mixture without addition of a solvent S); otherwise, the monomers are used as a solution in a suitable solvent S).

Preferably, the free-radical polymerization in step b) is effected in feed mode, in which case feeds comprising at least one α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid do not comprise any solvent S).

The metering rates of the monomer feed(s) and of any further feeds (initiator, chain transfer agent, etc.) are preferably chosen such that the polymerization is maintained with the desired conversion rate. The individual feeds can be added continuously, periodically, with constant or varying metering rate, and essentially simultaneously or offset in time. Preferably, all feeds are added to the reaction mixture continuously.

The weight ratio of the monomer mixture M) to the component PE) is preferably in the range from 1:10 to 10:1.

If the polymer composition is prepared using a solvent S), the weight ratio of the component PE) to the component S) is preferably in the range from 0.3:1 to 5:1, more preferably in the range from 0.5:1 to 3:1.

Preferably, the free-radical polymerization in step b) is effected at a temperature in the range from 20 to 90° C., more preferably from 30 to 85° C., especially from 40 to 80° C.

Preferably; the free-radical polymerization comprises, in step b) of the process according to the invention,

-   b1) providing an initial charge comprising at least a portion of the     polyether component PE), optionally at least a portion of the chain     transfer agent CTA) and, if the polymerization is effected in the     presence of a solvent S), optionally at least a portion of S); -   b2) adding the monomer composition M) in one or more feed(s) and     adding a feed comprising the free-radical initiator FRI), dissolved     in a portion of at least one polyether component PE) and/or of the     solvent S), and optionally adding a feed comprising the amount of     the chain transfer agent CTA) which is not used in the initial     charge, -   b3) optionally continuing polymerization of the reaction mixture     obtained in step b2).

Typically, the initial charge is heated to the polymerization temperature before adding the feeds while stirring.

Preferably, the individual reactants are added simultaneously in separate feeds, in which case the flow rates of the feeds are generally kept very substantially constant over the period of addition.

The addition of the feeds in step b2) is effected over a period which is advantageously selected such that the heat of reaction which arises in the exothermic polymerization reaction can be removed without any great technical complexity, for example without the use of a reflux condenser. Typically, the feeds are added over a period of 1 to 10 hours. Preferably, the feeds are added over a period of 2 to 8 hours, more preferably over 3 to 5 hours.

During the free-radical polymerization, the solvent optionally used and/or any condensation products formed are generally not removed. In other words, during the polymerization, there is typically only minor mass transfer with the environment within the realm of technical possibility, if any.

The polymerization can generally be effected at ambient pressure or reduced or elevated pressure. Preferably, the polymerization is performed at ambient pressure.

The polymerization is generally effected at constant temperature, but can also be varied during the polymerization if required. Preferably, the polymerization temperature is kept very substantially constant over the entire reaction period, i.e. of steps b2) and b3). According to the feedstocks which are used in the process according to the invention, the polymerization temperature varies typically within the range from 20 to 90° C. Preferably, the polymerization temperature varies within the range from 30 to 85° C. and especially within the range from 40 to 80° C. If the polymerization is not conducted under elevated pressure and at least one optional solvent S) has been added to the reaction mixture, the solvent or solvent mixture determines the maximum reaction temperature via the corresponding boiling temperatures.

The polymerization can be effected in the absence or presence of an inert gas. Typically, the polymerization is performed in the presence of an inert gas. Inert gas is generally understood to mean a gas which, under the given reaction conditions, does not enter into any reaction with the reactants, reagents or solvents involved in the reaction, or the products formed.

If the polymerization is performed in the presence of a solvent, this is selected from the above-described solvents S).

To prepare the polymers, the monomers can be polymerized with the aid of free radical-forming initiators, also referred to hereinafter as free-radical initiators or initiators. Useful free-radical initiators (initiators) for the free-radical polymerization in principle include all the free-radical initiators that are essentially soluble in the reaction medium as exists at the time of addition thereof and have sufficient activity at the given reaction temperatures to initiate the polymerization. It is possible to use a single free-radical initiator or a combination of at least two free-radical initiators in the process according to the invention. In the latter case, the at least two free-radical initiators can be used in a mixture or preferably separately, simultaneously or successively, for example at different times in the course of the reaction.

Free-radical initiators used for the free-radical polymerization may be the peroxo and/or azo compounds customary for this purpose, for example alkali metal or ammonium peroxodisulfates, diacetyl peroxide, dibenzoyl peroxide, succinyl peroxide, di-tert-butyl peroxide, tert-butyl perbenzoate, tert-butyl perpivalate, tert-butyl peroxy-2-ethylhexanoate, tert-butyl permaleate, cumene hydroperoxide, diisopropyl peroxodicarbamate, bis(o-tolyl) peroxide, didecanoyl peroxide, dioctanoyl peroxide, tert-butyl peroctoate, dilauroyl peroxide, tert-butyl perisobutyrate, tert-butyl peracetate, di-tert-amyl peroxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile, azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride, azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) or 2,2′-azobis(2-methylbutyronitrile).

Also suitable are initiator mixtures or redox initiator systems, for example ascorbic acid/iron(II) sulfate/sodium peroxodisulfate,

tert-butyl hydroperoxide/sodium disulfite,

tert-butyl hydroperoxide/sodium hydroxymethanesulfinate,

H₂O₂/Cu^(I).

In the process according to the invention, the amount of initiator system (initiator) used varies within the range from 0.01% to 10% by weight, preferably within the range from 0.1% to 5% by weight, more preferably within the range from 0.2% to 2% by weight and especially within the range from 0.3% to 1.5% by weight.

In the process according the invention, the free-radical initiator is generally provided as a solution in a solvent comprising at least one of the aforementioned solvents S).

The amount of chain transfer agent which is typically used in the process according to the invention is 1 to 40 pphm (“parts per hundred of monomer”, i.e. parts by weight based on one hundred parts by weight of monomer composition). Preferably, the amount of chain transfer agent used in the process according the invention is within the range from 3 to 30 pphm, more preferably in the range from 5 to 25 pphm.

Typically, the chain transfer agent is added continuously to the polymerization mixture in step b2) entirely via one of the feeds. However, it is also possible to add the chain transfer agent either entirely to the initial charge, i.e. before the actual polymerization, or only a portion of the chain transfer agent is included in the initial charge and the rest is added continuously to the polymerization mixture in step b2) via one of the feeds. The chain transfer agent can be added in each case without or with solvent S).

The amount of the chain transfer agent and the way in which it is added to the reaction mixture have a strong influence on the mean molecular weight of the polymer composition. When less chain transfer agent is used and/or when the addition is effected predominantly prior to the polymerization, this generally leads to higher mean molecular weights of the polymer formed. If, in contrast, greater amounts of regulator are used and/or the addition of the regulator takes place for the most part during the polymerization (step b2)), this generally leads to a lower mean molecular weight.

Preparation of Transparent Gels

In a preferred embodiment, the process according to the invention serves to prepare a clear gel composition.

Preferably, the amount of polyether component PE) in the initial charge (step b1)) is 10% to 100% by weight, more preferably 25% to 100% by weight and especially 30% to 100% by weight, based on the total weight of the polyether component PE) used for polymerization.

In the 1st variant, the ratio of the polyether component PE) used to prepare the polymer composition to the monomer composition M) used is typically in the range from 1.0:10 to 10:1.

Preferably, the content of solvent in the initial charge is 10% to 90% by weight, based on the total weight of all the feedstocks present in the initial charge. Preferably, the content of solvent in the initial charge is 15% to 85% by weight, especially 20% to 80% by weight, based on the total weight of all the feedstocks present in the initial charge.

Typically, solvents S) having a boiling point at standard pressure (1 bar) of below 240° C. are used. In general, solvents S used in this first preferred embodiment are water, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol mono(C₁-C₄-alkyl) ethers, ethylene glycol di(C₁-C₄-alkyl) ethers, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol mono(C₁-C₄-alkyl) ethers, 1,2-propylene glycol di(C₁-C₄-alkyl) ethers, dipropylene glycols or mixtures thereof. Solvents S) used with preference in this first preferred embodiment are water, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol or mixtures thereof.

In this first preferred embodiment, the polymer compositions obtained after the polymerization has ended (step b3)) are transferred into a suitable vessel and optionally cooled directly to ambient temperature (20° C.).

In general, the polymer composition obtained by the above-described process already has a gel-like consistency. If desired, the rheological properties of the polymer composition can be adjusted, for example, through the addition of solvents and/or thickeners. Suitable thickeners are described hereinafter under component e).

The polymer composition used in accordance with the invention is preferably transparent, meaning that it has a transparency (T_(L)) of at least 85%, especially of at least 90%, based on the transparency of water.

The polymer composition used in accordance with the invention preferably has a viscosity at 20° C. within a range from greater than 600 to about 10 000 000 mPa·s, more preferably from 1000 to 1 000 000 mPa·s, especially from 2000 to 500 000 mPa·s. The viscosity at 20° C. and the viscosity profile as a function of temperature for the samples to be examined were examined by means of a rotary rheometer (DHR-1 from TA Instruments with Peltier system, plate/plate geometry, Ø 40 mm, h=1 mm) at temperatures of 20° C. to 80° C. Temperature ramp (y=1% with M_(min)=100 μNm). Measurement temperature(s) of 80° C. to 20° C. and back, two runs each (cooling/heating rate 2 K/min). Measurement time 30 min each time.

None, some or all of the acid groups of the inventive polymer composition may be neutralized. Preferably, none or only some of the acid groups in the inventive polymer composition are neutralized.

The acid groups of the inventive polymer composition are preferably in non-neutralized form.

Bases used for the neutralization may be alkali metal bases, such as sodium hydroxide solution, potassium hydroxide solution, sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogencarbonate, potassium carbonate or potassium hydrogencarbonate, and alkaline earth metal bases, such as calcium hydroxide, calcium oxide, magnesium hydroxide or magnesium carbonate, and ammonia or amines. Suitable amines are, for example, C₁-C₆-alkylamines, preferably n-propylamine and n-butylamine, dialkylamines, preferably diethylpropylamine and dipropylmethylamine, trialkylamines, preferably triethylamine and triisopropylamine. Preference is given to amino alcohols, for example trialkanolamines such as triethanolamine, alkyldialkanolamines such as methyl- or ethyldiethanolamine, and dialkylalkanolamines such as dimethylethanolamine, and also 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol. The neutralization of the acid groups can also be undertaken with the aid of mixtures of two or more bases. The base is more preferably selected from NaOH, KOH, 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol, triethylamine, diethylaminopropylamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, triisopropanolamine and mixtures thereof.

Characterization of the Polymer Composition

The inventive polymer composition preferably has a content of acid groups of more than 1 mmol/g, more preferably of more than 1.3 mmol/g. The inventive polymer composition preferably has a content of acid groups of not more than 15 mmol/g. The inventive polymer composition especially has a content of acid groups of 1.5 mmol/g to 15 mmol/g.

A polymer composition in the form of a transparent gel preferably has a content of acid groups of 1.5 mmol/g to 15 mmol/g, preferably of 4 mmol/g to 7 mmol/g.

In a second preferred embodiment, the acid groups of the inventive polymer composition are in non-neutralized form.

Preferably, the polymer composition has a solubility in water at 40° C. and a pH of 8 of at least 5 g/l.

The weight-average molecular weight M_(w) of the inventive polymer composition, determined by means of gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using neutralized polyacrylic acid as polymer standard, is preferably 1000 to 150 000 daltons.

Surfactant-Containing Composition

The inventive polymer composition is particularly advantageously suitable for formulation of surfactant-containing compositions. More particularly, these are aqueous surfactant-containing compositions. The inventive polymer composition is notable for its good compatibility with a multitude of surfactants.

Surfactant-containing compositions comprising the inventive polymer composition preferably have a total surfactant content 0.1% to 75% by weight, more preferably of 0.5% to 60% by weight, especially of 1% of 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the surfactant-containing composition.

Suitable additional surfactants are anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants and mixtures thereof.

Typical examples of anionic surfactants are soaps, alkylsulfonates, alkylbenzenesulfonates, olefinsulfonates, methyl ester sulfonates, sulfo fatty acids, alkyl sulfates, mono- and dialkyl sulfosuccinates, mono- and dialkyl sulfosuccinamates, sulfotriglycerides, amide soaps, ether carboxylic acids and salts thereof, fatty acid isethionates, fatty acid sarcosinates, fatty acid taurides, N-acylamino acids, for example acyl lactylates, acyl tartrates, acyl glutamates and acyl aspartates, alkyl oligoglucoside sulfates, alkylglucose carboxylates, protein fatty acid condensates and alkyl (ether) phosphates.

Suitable soaps are, for example, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and ammonium salts of fatty acids, such as potassium stearate.

Suitable olefinsulfonates are obtained, for example, through addition of SO₃ onto olefins of the formula R¹⁵—CH═CH—R¹⁶ and subsequent hydrolysis and neutralization, where R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are each independently H or alkyl radicals having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, with the proviso that R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ together have at least 6 and preferably 8 to 20, especially 10 to 16, carbon atoms. With regard to preparation and use, reference may be made to the review article “J. Am. Oil. Chem. Soc.”, 55, 70 (1978). The olefinsulfonates may be present as alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkylammonium, alkanolammonium or glucammonium salts. Preferably, the olefinsulfonates are present as sodium salts. The hydrolyzed alpha-olefinsulfonation product, i.e. the alpha-olefinsulfonates, are composed of about 60% by weight of alkanesulfonates and about 40% by weight of hydroxyalkanesulfonates; for instance, 80% to 85% by weight of this is monosulfonates and 15% to 20% by weight is disulfonates.

Preferred methyl ester sulfonates (MES) are obtained by sulfonation of the fatty acid methyl esters of vegetable or animal fats or oils. Preference is given to methyl ester sulfonates from vegetable fats and oils, e.g. from rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, soya oil, palm oil, coconut fat, etc.

Preferred alkyl sulfates are sulfates of fatty alcohols of the general formula R¹⁷—O—SO₃Y in which R¹⁷ is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical having 6 to 22 carbon atoms and Y is an alkali metal, the monovalent charge equivalent of an alkaline earth metal, ammonium, mono-, di-, tri- or tetraalkylammonium, alkanolammonium or glucammonium. Suitable fatty alcohol sulfates will preferably be obtained by sulfation of native fatty alcohols or synthetic oxo alcohols and subsequent neutralization. Typical examples of fatty alcohol sulfates are the sulfation products of caproic alcohol, caprylic alcohol, 2-ethylhexyl alcohol, capric alcohol, lauryl alcohol, isotridecyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, palmoleyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, isostearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, elaidyl alcohol, petroselinyl alcohol, linoleyl alcohol, linolenyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol and eleostearyl alcohol, and also the salts and mixtures thereof. Preferred salts of the fatty alcohol sulfates are the sodium and potassium salts, especially the sodium salts. Preferred mixtures of the fatty alcohol sulfates are based on technical grade alcohol mixtures obtained, for example, in the high-pressure hydrogenation of technical grade methyl esters based on fats and oils or in the hydrogenation of aldehydes from the oxo process or in the dimerization of unsaturated fatty alcohols. For preparation of alkyl sulfates, preference is given to using fatty alcohols and fatty alcohol mixtures having 12 to 18 carbon atoms and especially 16 to 18 carbon atoms. Typical examples thereof are technical grade alcohol sulfates based on vegetable raw materials.

Preferred sarcosinates are sodium lauroyl sarcosinate or sodium stearoyl sarcosinate.

Preferred protein fatty acid condensates are wheat-based vegetable products.

Preferred alkyl phosphates are alkyl mono- and diphosphates,

Suitable acyl glutamates are compounds of the formula (I)

in which COR¹⁸ is a linear or branched acyl radical having 6 to 22 carbon atoms and 0, 1, 2 or 3 double bonds and X is hydrogen, an alkali metal, the monovalent charge equivalent of an alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkylammonium, alkanolammonium or glucammonium. Acyl glutamates are prepared, for example, by Schotten-Baumann acylation of glutamic acid with fatty acids, fatty acid esters or fatty acid halides. Acyl glutamates are commercially available, for example, from Clariant AG, Frankfurt, Germany, or Ajinomoto Co. Inc., Tokyo, Japan. An overview of the preparation and properties of the acyl glutamates can be found in M. Takehara et al. in J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 49 (1972) 143. Typical acyl glutamates suitable as component b) are preferably derived from fatty acids having 6 to 22 and particularly preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms. In particular, the mono- or dialkali metal salts of the acyl glutamate are used. These include, for example (trade names of Ajinomoto, USA in brackets): sodium cocoylglutamate (Amisoft CS-11), disodium cocoylglutamate (Amisoft ECS-22SB), triethanolammonium cocoylglutamate (Amisoft CT-12), triethanolammonium lauroylglutamate (Amisoft LT-12), sodium myristoylglutamate (Amisoft MS-11), sodium stearoylglutamate (Amisoft HS-11 P) and mixtures thereof.

The additional nonionic surfactants include, for example:

-   -   glyceryl esters, for example glyceryl monostearate,     -   sugar surfactants, sorbitol esters, for example sorbitan fatty         acid esters (sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan tristearate),         polyoxyethylenesorbitan fatty acid esters, alkyl polyglycosides,         N-alkylgluconamides,     -   alkyl methyl sulfoxides,     -   alkyldimethylphosphine oxides, for example         tetradecyldimethylphosphine oxide.

Suitable amphoteric surfactants are, for example, alkyl betaines, alkylamidopropyl betaines, alkyl sulfobetaines, alkyl glycinates, alkyl carboxyglycinates, alkylamphoacetates or amphopropionates, alkyl amphodiacetates or alkyl amphodipropionates. For example, it is possible to use cocodimethylsulfopropyl betaine, lauryl betaine, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium cocamphopropionate or tetradecyldimethylamine oxide.

The cationic surfactants include, for example, quaternized ammonium compounds, especially alkyltrimethylammonium and dialkyldimethylammonium halides and alkylsulfates, and also pyridine and imidazoline derivatives, especially alkylpyridinium halides. For example, it is possible to use behenyl- or cetyltrimethylammonium chloride.

Washing and Cleaning Compositions

The inventive polymer composition is advantageously suitable for use in washing and cleaning compositions.

Washing compositions in the context of the present invention are understood to mean those compositions which are used for cleaning flexible materials having high absorbency, for example materials having a textile character, whereas cleaning compositions in the context of the present invention are understood to mean those compositions which are used for cleaning materials having a closed surface, i.e. having a surface which has only few and small pores, if any, and consequently has zero or only low absorbency.

Examples of flexible materials having high absorbency are those which comprise or consist of natural, synthetic or semisynthetic fiber materials, and which accordingly generally have at least some textile character. The fibrous materials or materials consisting of fibers may in principle be present in any form which occurs in use or in manufacture and processing. For example, fibers may be present in unordered form in the form of staple or aggregate, in ordered form in the form of fibers, yarns, threads, or in the form of three-dimensional structures such as nonwovens, lodens or felt, wovens, knits, in all conceivable binding types. The fibers may be raw fibers or fibers in any desired stages of processing. Examples are natural protein or cellulose fibers, such as wool, silk, cotton, sisal, hemp or coconut fibers, or synthetic fibers, for example polyester, polyamide or polyacrylonitrile fibers.

Examples of materials having only few and small pores, if any, and having zero or only low absorbency are metal, glass, enamel or ceramic. Typical objects made of these materials are, for example, metallic sinks, bathtubs, washbasins, tiles, flags, cured synthetic resins, for example decorative melamine resin surfaces on kitchen furniture or painted metal surfaces, for example refrigerators and car bodies, printed circuit boards, microchips, sealed or painted woods, e.g. parquet or wall cladding, window frames, doors, plastics coverings such as floor coverings made of PVC or hard rubber, or rigid or flexible foams having substantially closed surfaces.

Examples of cleaning compositions comprising the inventive polymer composition comprise washing and cleaning compositions, metal degreasers, glass cleaners, floor cleaners, all-purpose cleaners, high-pressure cleaners, neutral cleaners, alkaline cleaners, acidic cleaners, spray degreasers, dairy cleaners, commercial kitchen cleaners, machinery cleaners in industry, especially the chemical industry, cleaners for carwashing and also domestic all-purpose cleaners.

Preferably, the washing and cleaning compositions comprising the inventive polymer composition are in gel form, in liquid form or partly in gel form at room temperature (20° C.).

The inventive polymer composition has the particular feature of the excellent action as a cobuilder, surfactant or soil release polymer. The constituents of the polymer composition also support the cleaning performance of the overall formulation, by detaching and dispersing the soil.

The inventive washing and cleaning composition preferably comprises the following constituents:

-   a) at least one inventive polymer composition in gel form, -   b) at least one builder (also referred to as sequestrant, builder     material, complexing agent, chelator, chelating agent or softener), -   c) optionally at least one enzyme, -   d) optionally at least one bleach, -   e) optionally water, -   f) optionally at least one thickener, and -   g) optionally at least one further additives, preferably selected     from the following additives other than a): surfactants, bases,     corrosion inhibitors, defoamers, dyes, fragrances, fillers,     solubilizers, organic solvents, electrolytes, pH modifiers, perfume     carriers, fluorescers, hydrotropes, antiredeposition agents, optical     brighteners, graying inhibitors, shrink inhibitors, crease     inhibitors, dye transfer inhibitors, active antimicrobial     ingredients, antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors, antistats, ironing     aids, hydrophobizing and impregnating agents, swell and antislip     agents, and UV absorbers.

Preferably, the inventive washing and cleaning compositions comprise:

-   a) 0.1% to 90% by weight of at least one inventive polymer     composition in gel form, -   b) 5% to 90% by weight of at least one builder, -   c) 0% to 8% by weight of at least one enzyme, -   d) 0% to 30% by weight of at least one bleach, -   e) 0% to 90% by weight of water, -   f) 0% to 8% by weight of at least one thickener, -   g) 0% to 50% by weight of at least one further additive,     with the proviso that the weights of components a) to g) add up to     100% by weight.

A preferred embodiment is washing and cleaning compositions in gel form. Washing and cleaning compositions in gel form is understood to mean fluid compositions which have a viscosity at room temperature (20° C.) higher than that of water but are still free-flowing to the extent that they can be dosed without any problem by standard dosage means. Preferably, the inventive washing and cleaning compositions in gel form have a viscosity of 0.5 to 100 Pa-s, more preferably of 0.5 to 50 Pa·s and especially of 1 to 30 Pa·s at 20° C.

Preferably, the washing and cleaning compositions in gel form comprise:

-   a) 0.1% to 90% by weight of at least one inventive polymer     composition in gel form, -   b) 5% to 80% by weight of at least one builder, -   c) 0% to 8% by weight of at least one enzyme, -   d) 0% to 30% by weight of at least one bleach, -   e) 0.1% to 90% by weight of water, -   f) 0.1% to 8% by weight of at least one thickener, -   g) 0% to 25% by weight of at least one further additive,     with the proviso that the weights of components a) to g) add up to     100% by weight,

More preferably, the inventive washing and cleaning composition comprises at least one enzyme.

Additionally preferably, the inventive washing and cleaning composition comprises at least one bleach.

Component a)

With regard to inventive polymer compositions suitable and preferred as component a), reference is made to the details above.

Component b)

The inventive washing and cleaning compositions preferably comprise at least one builder.

Builders, which are sometimes also referred to as sequestrants, builder materials, complexing agents, chelators, chelating agents or softeners, bind alkaline earth metals and other water-soluble metal salts without precipitating. They help to break up soil, disperse soil components, help to detach soil and in some cases themselves have a washing effect. In addition, when they are solid and are used in pulverulent formulations, they keep the powder free-flowing.

Suitable builders may be either organic or inorganic in nature. Examples are aluminosilicates, carbonates, phosphates and polyphosphates, polycarboxylic acids, polycarboxylates, hydroxycarboxylic acids, phosphonic acids, e.g. hydroxyalkylphosphonic acids, phosphonates, aminopolycarboxylic acids and salts thereof, and polymeric compounds containing carboxylic acid groups and salts thereof.

Suitable inorganic builders are, for example, crystalline or amorphous aluminosilicates having ion-exchanging properties, such as zeolites. Various types of zeolites are suitable, especially zeolites A, X, B, P, MAP and HS in the sodium form thereof, or in forms in which Na has been partially exchanged for other cations such as Li, K, Ca, Mg or ammonium. Suitable zeolites are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,604,224. Crystalline silicates suitable as builders are, for example, disilicates or sheet silicates, e.g. 5-Na₂Si₂O₅ or B—Na₂Si₂O₅ (SKS 6 or SKS 7). The silicates can be used in the form of their alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or ammonium salts, preferably as sodium, lithium and magnesium silicates. Amorphous silicates, for example sodium metasilicate which has a polymeric structure, or amorphous disilicate (Britesil® H 20, manufacturer Akzo), are likewise usable. Among these, preference is given to sodium disilicate.

Suitable inorganic builder substances based on carbonate are carbonates and hydrogencarbonates. These can be used in the form of their alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or ammonium salts. Preference is given to using sodium, lithium and magnesium carbonates or sodium, lithium and magnesium hydrogencarbonates, especially sodium carbonate and/or sodium hydrogencarbonate.

Customary phosphates used as inorganic builders are alkali metal orthophosphates and/or polyphosphates, for example pentasodium triphosphate.

Suitable organic builders are, for example, C₄-C₃₀-di-, -tri- and -tetracarboxylic acids, for example succinic acid, propanetricarboxylic acid, butanetetracarboxylic acid, cyclopentanetetracarboxylic acid, and alkyl- and alkenylsuccinic acids having C₂-C₂₀-alkyl or -alkenyl radicals.

Suitable organic builders are also hydroxycarboxylic acids and polyhydroxycarboxylic acids (sugar acids). These include C₄-C₂₀-hydroxycarboxylic acids, for example malic acid, tartaric acid, gluconic acid, mucic acid, lactic acid, glutaric acid, citric acid, tartronic acid, glucoheptonic acid, lactobionic acid, and sucrosemono-, -di- and tricarboxylic acid. Among these, preference is given to citric acid and salts thereof.

Suitable organic builders are also phosphonic acids, for example hydroxyalkylphosphonic acids, aminophosphonic acids and the salts thereof. These Include, for example, phosphonobutanetricarboxylic acid, aminotris(methylenephosphonic acid), ethylenediaminetetraethylenephosphonic acid, hexamethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonic acid, diethylenetriamine-pentamethylenephosphonic acid, morpholinomethanediphosphonic acid, 1-hydroxy-C₁- to C₁₀-alkyl-1,1-diphosphonic acids such as 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid. Among these, preference is given to 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid and salts thereof.

Suitable organic builders are additionally aminopolycarboxylic acids, such as nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), nitrilomonoacetic dipropionic acid, nitrilotripropionic acid, β-alaninediacetic acid (β-ADA), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, 1,3-propylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 1,2-propylenediaminetetraacetic acid, N-(alkyl)ethylenediaminetriacetic acid, N (hydroxyalkyl)ethylenediaminetriacetic acid, ethylenediaminetriacetic acid, cyclohexylene-1,2-diaminetetraacetic acid, iminodisuccinic acid, ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid, serinediacetic acid, isoserinediacetic acid, L-asparaginediacetic acid, L-glutaminediacetic acid, methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), and the salts of the aforementioned aminopolycarboxylic acids. Among these, preference is given to L-glutaminediacetic acid, methylglycinediacetic acid and salts thereof.

Suitable organic builders are additionally polymeric compounds containing carboxylic acid groups, such as acrylic acid homopolymers. These preferably have a number-average molecular weight in the range from 800 to 70 000 g/mol, more preferably from 900 to 50 000 g/mol, particularly from 1000 to 20 000 g/mol, especially 1000 to 10 000 g/mol. The term “acrylic acid homopolymer” also comprises polymers in which some or all of the carboxylic acid groups are in neutralized form. These include acrylic acid homopolymers in which some or all of the carboxylic acid groups are in the form of alkali metal salts or ammonium salts. Preference is given to acrylic acid homopolymers in which the carboxylic acid groups are protonated or in which some or all of the carboxylic acid groups are in the form of sodium salts.

Suitable polymeric compounds containing carboxylic acid groups are also oligomaleic acids, as described, for example, in EP-A 451 508 and EP-A 396 303.

Suitable polymeric compounds containing carboxylic acid groups are also terpolymers of unsaturated C₄-C₈-dicarboxylic acids, where the polymerized comonomers may include monoethylenically unsaturated monomers from group (i) specified below in amounts of up to 95% by weight, from group (ii) in amounts of up to 60% by weight and from group (iii) in amounts of up to 20% by weight. Suitable unsaturated C₄-C₈-dicarboxylic acids in this context are, for example, maleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid and citraconic acid. Preference is given to maleic acid. Group (i) comprises monoethylenically unsaturated C₃-C₈-monocarboxylic acids, for example acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid and vinylacetic acid. From group (i), preference is given to using acrylic acid and methacrylic acid. Group (ii) comprises monoethylenically unsaturated C₂-C₂₂-olefins, vinyl alkyl ethers having C₁-C₈-alkyl groups, styrene, vinyl esters of C₁-C₈-carboxylic acids, (meth)acrylamide and vinylpyrrolidone. From group (ii), preference is given to using C₂-C₆-olefins, vinyl alkyl ethers having C₁-C₄-alkyl groups, vinyl acetate and vinyl propionate. If the polymers of group (ii) comprise vinyl esters in polymerized form, they may also be present partly or fully hydrolyzed to vinyl alcohol structural units. Suitable co- and terpolymers are known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 3,887,806 and DE-A 4313909. Group (iii) comprises (meth)acrylic esters of C₁-C₈ alcohols, (meth)acrylonitrile, (meth)acrylamides of C₁-C₈ amines, N-vinylformamide and N-vinylimidazole.

Suitable polymeric compounds containing carboxylic acid groups are also homopolymers of the monoethylenically unsaturated C₃-C₈-monocarboxylic acids, for example acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid and vinylacetic acid, especially of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, copolymers of dicarboxylic acids, for example copolymers of maleic acid and acrylic acid in a weight ratio of 10:90 to 95:5, more preferably those in a weight ratio of from 30:70 to 90:10 with molar masses of from 1000 to 150 000; terpolymers of maleic acid, acrylic acid and a vinyl ester of a C₁-C₃-carboxylic acid in a weight ratio of from 10 (maleic acid):90 (acrylic acid+vinyl ester) to 95 (maleic acid):10 (acrylic acid+vinyl ester), where the weight ratio of acrylic acid to the vinyl ester may vary within the range from 30:70 to 70:30; copolymers of maleic acid with C₂-C₈-olefins in a molar ratio of from 40:60 to 80:20, particular preference being given to copolymers of maleic acid with ethylene, propylene or isobutene in a molar ratio of 50:50.

Suitable polymeric compounds containing carboxylic acid groups are also copolymers of 50% to 98% by weight of ethylenically unsaturated weak carboxylic acids with 2% to 50% by weight of ethylenically unsaturated sulfonic acids, as described, for example, in EP-A-0877002. Suitable weak ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids are especially C₃-C₆-monocarboxylic acids, such as acrylic acid and methacrylic acid. Suitable ethylenically unsaturated sulfonic acids are 2-acetylamidomethyl-1-propanesulfonic acid, 2-methacrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid, 2-methacrylamido-2-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid, allylsulfonic acid, methallylsulfonic acid, allyloxybenzenesulfonic acid, methallyloxybenzenesulfonic acid, 2-hydroxy-3-(2-propenyloxy)propanesulfonic acid, 2-methyl-2-propene-1-sulfonic acid, styrenesulfonic acid, vinylsulfonic acid, 3-sulfopropyl acrylate, 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate, sulfomethylacrylamide, sulfomethylmethacrylamide and salts of these acids. The copolymers may also comprise, in copolymerized form, 0 to 30% by weight of ethylenically unsaturated C₄-C₈-dicarboxylic acids, such as maleic acid, and 0 to 30% by weight of at least one monomer which is copolymerizable with the aforementioned monomers. The latter are, for example, C₁-C₄-alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid, C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid, acrylamide, alkyl-substituted acrylamide, N,N-dialkyl-substituted acrylamide, vinylphosphonic acid, vinyl acetate, allyl alcohols, sulfonated allyl alcohols, styrene and other vinylaromatics, acrylonitrile, N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-vinylformamide, N-vinylimidazole or N-vinylpyridine. The weight-average molecular weight of these copolymers is within the range from 3000 to 50 000 daltons. Particularly suitable copolymers are those with about 77% by weight of at least one ethylenically unsaturated C₃-C₆-monocarboxylic acid and about 23% by weight of at least one ethylenically unsaturated sulfonic acid.

Graft polymers of unsaturated carboxylic acids onto low molecular weight carbohydrates or hydrogenated carbohydrates (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 5,227,446, DE-A 4415623 and DE-A 4313909) are likewise suitable. Suitable unsaturated carboxylic acids in this context are, for example, maleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid and vinylacetic acid and also mixtures of acrylic acid and maleic acid, which are grafted on in amounts of 40% to 95% by weight, based on the component to be grafted. For modification, it is additionally possible for up to 30% by weight, based on the component to be grafted, of further monoethylenically unsaturated monomers to be present in polymerized form. Suitable modifying monomers are the abovementioned monomers of groups (ii) and (iii). Suitable graft bases are degraded polysaccharides, for example acidically or enzymatically degraded starches, inulins or cellulose, protein hydrolyzates and reduced (hydrogenated or hydrogenatingly aminated) degraded polysaccharides, for example mannitol, sorbitol, aminosorbitol and N-alkylglucamine, as are polyalkylene glycols with molar masses of up to M_(w)=5000, for example polyethylene glycols, ethylene oxide/propylene oxide or ethylene oxide/butylene oxide or ethylene oxide/propylene oxide/butylene oxide block copolymers and alkoxylated mono- or polyhydric C₁-C₂₂ alcohols (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 5,756,456).

Likewise suitable are polyglyoxylic acids, as described, for example, in EP-B 001004, U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,286, DE-A-4106355 and EP-A-656914. The end groups of the polyglyoxylic acids may have different structures.

Additionally suitable are polyamidocarboxylic acids and modified polyamidocarboxylic acids; these are, for example, known from EP-A-454126, EP-B-511037, WO-A-94/01486 and EP-A-581452.

Polyaspartic acids or cocondensates of aspartic acid with further amino acids, C₄-C₂₅ mono- or -dicarboxylic acids and/or C₄-C₂₅ mono- or -diamines can also be used as polymeric compounds containing carboxylic acid groups. Particular preference is given to using polyaspartic acids which have been prepared in phosphorus acids and have been modified with C₆-C₂₂ mono- or -dicarboxylic acids or with C₆-C₂₂ mono- or -diamines.

Among the polymeric compounds containing carboxylic acid groups, polyacrylic acids are preferred, including in partly or fully neutralized form.

Suitable organic builders are also iminodisuccinic acid, oxydisuccinic acid, aminopolycarboxylates, alkyl polyaminocarboxylates, aminopolyalkylenephosphonates, polyglutamates, hydrophobically modified citric acid for example agaric acid, poly-α-hydroxyacrylic acid, N-acylethylenediamine triacetates such as lauroylethylenediamine triacetate and alkylamides of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, such as EDTA tallow amide.

In addition, it is also possible to use oxidized starches as organic builders.

Preference is given to using, as component b), a mixture of different builders.

The mixture of different builders preferably comprises at least two of the following constituents: at least one carbonate (e.g. sodium carbonate), at least one silicate (e.g. sodium disilicate), at least one polymeric compound containing carboxylic acid groups or at least one polymeric compound which contains carboxylic acid groups of which all or some are present in neutralized form (e.g. polyacrylic acid), at least one (poly)hydroxycarboxylic acid or a salt thereof (e.g. citric acid or a citrate), at least one aminopolycarboxylic acid or a salt thereof (e.g. methyglycinediacetic acid or a salt thereof, e.g. a sodium salt thereof), at least one phosphonic acid (e.g. 1-hydroxyethane-1-(1,1-diphosphonic acid); HEDP), at least one phosphate. More preferably, the mixture comprises at least one carbonate, at least one silicate and at least one polymeric, optionally (partially) neutralized compound containing carboxylic acid groups, and optionally at least one of the following constituents: at least one (poly)hydroxycarboxylic acid or a salt thereof, at least one phosphonic acid, at least one phosphate. The mixture especially comprises at least one carbonate, at least one silicate, at least one polymeric, optionally (partially) neutralized compound containing carboxylic acid groups, at least one (poly)hydroxycarboxylic acid or a salt thereof, and at least one phosphonic acid, and optionally at least one phosphate.

In such a mixture, the constituents are present preferably in the following amounts:

-   b1) at least one carbonate: 10% to 50% by weight; -   b2) at least one silicate: 1% to 10% by weight; -   b3) at least one polymeric, optionally (partially) neutralized     compound containing carboxylic acid groups: 5% to 20% by weight; -   b4) at least one (poly)hydroxycarboxylic acid or a salt thereof: 0%     to 50% by weight; -   b5) at least one aminopolycarboxylic acid or a salt thereof: 0% to     60% by weight; -   b6) at least one phosphonic acid: 0.2% to 1% by weight; -   b7) at least one phosphate: 0% to 60% by weight.

The percentages by weight are each based on the total weight of the builder. The weights of b1) to b7) add up to 100% by weight.

Component c)

The inventive washing and cleaning compositions preferably comprise at least one enzyme.

Suitable enzymes are those as typically used as industrial enzymes. These include both enzymes having optimal activity in the neutral to alkaline pH range and enzymes having optimal activity in the acidic pH range.

The enzymes are preferably selected from aminopeptidases, amylases, arabinases, carbohydrases, carboxypeptidases, catalases, cellulases, chitinases, cutinases, cyclodextrin glycosyltransferases, deoxyribonucleases, esterases, galactanases, alpha-galactosidases, beta-galactosidases, glucanases, glucoamylases, alpha-glucosidases, beta-glucosidases, haloperoxidases, hydrolase invertases, isomerases, keratinases, laccases, lipases, mannanases, mannosidases, oxidases, pectinolytic enzymes, peptidoglutaminases, peroxidases, peroxygenases, phytases, polyphenol oxidases, proteolytic enzymes, ribonucleases, transglutaminases, transferases, xylanases and mixtures thereof.

The enzymes are especially selected from hydrolases, such as proteases, esterases, glucosidases, lipases, amylases, cellulases, mannanases, other glycosyl hydrolases and mixtures of the aforementioned enzymes. All these hydrolases contribute to soil dissolution and removal from protein-, grease- or starch-containing stains. It is also possible to use oxireductases for bleaching. Of particularly good suitability are active enzymatic ingredients obtained from bacterial strains or fungi such as Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Streptomyceus griseus and Humicola insolens.

Preferred enzymes are described in detail below:

Proteases:

Suitable proteolytic enzymes (proteases) may in principle be of animal, vegetable or microbial origin. Preference is given to proteolytic enzymes of microbial origin. These also include chemically or genetically modified mutants.

Preferred proteases are serine proteases, metalloproteases or trypsin-like proteases. Preference is given to using an alkaline microbial protease. Examples of alkaline proteases are subtilisins, especially those derived from Bacillus, e.g. subtilisin Novo, subtilisin Carlsberg, subtilisin 309, subtilisin 147 and subtilisin 168 (described in WO 89/06279). Examples of trypsin-like proteases are trypsin (e.g. porcine or bovine) and the Fusarium protease described, for example, in WO 89/06270.

Preferred commercially available proteases include the proteases available under the following brand names: Alcalase™, Savinase™, Primase™, Durazym™, Esperase™, Neutrase™ from Novozymes A/S (Denmark), the products sold by DuPont/Genencor under the Maxatase™, Maxacal™, Maxapem™, PREFERENZ™ P, EXCELLENZ™ P Properase™, Purafect™ and Purafect™ OXP brand names, and the products sold by Solvay Enzymes under the Opticlean™ and Optimase™ brand names.

The inventive compositions preferably comprise at least one protease in an amount of 0.00001% by weight to 30% by weight of enzyme protein, more preferably of 0.0001% by weight to 15% by weight of enzyme protein, especially 0.001% by weight to 10% by weight of enzyme protein, especially 0.001% by weight to 5% by weight of enzyme protein, based on the total weight of the inventive polymer composition.

Lipases:

Suitable lipases may in principle originate from bacteria or fungi. These also include chemically or genetically modified mutants.

Examples of suitable lipases are Humicola lanuginosa lipase, described, for example, in EP 258 068 und EP 305 216, Rhizomucor miehei lipase, described, for example, in EP 238 023, Candida lipase, such as C. antarctica lipase, for example the C. antarctica lipases A or B as described in EP 214 761, Pseudomonas lipase such as P. alcaligenes and P. pseudoalcalgenes lipase, described, for example, in EP 218 272, P. cepacia lipase, described, for example, in EP 331 376, P. stutzeri lipase, described, for example, in GB 1,372,034, P. fluorescens lipase, Bacillus lipase, for example a B. subtilis lipase (Dartois et al., (1993), Biochemica et Biophysica acta 1131, 253-260), B. stearothermophilus lipase (JP 64/744992) and B. pumilus lipase (WO 91/16422).

In addition, a multitude of cloned lipases is suitable, comprising Penicillium camembertii lipase described by Yamaguchi et al., (1991), Gene 103, 61-67), Geotricum candidum lipase (Schimada, Y. et al., (1989), J. Biochem., 106, 383-388), and various Rhizopus lipases, such as R. delemar lipase (Hass, M. J et al., (1991), Gene 109, 117-113), R. niveus lipase (Kugimiya et al., (1992), Biosci. Biotech. Biochem. 56, 716-719) and R. oryzae lipase.

In addition, it is possible to use other types of lipolytic enzymes, such as cutinases, for example a cutinase derived from Pseudomonas mendocina, as described, for example, in WO 88/09367, or a cutinase derived from Fusarium solani pisi (as described, for example, in WO 90/09446).

Especially suitable lipases are MI Lipase™, Luma Fast™ and Lipo-Max™ (Genencor), Lipoclean™, Lipex™, Lipolex™ Lipolase™ and Lipolase Ultra™ (Novozymes A/S), and Lipase P “Amano” (Amano Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.).

The inventive compositions preferably comprise at least one lipase in an amount of 0.00001% by weight to 30% by weight of enzyme protein, more preferably of 0.0001% by weight to 15% by weight of enzyme protein, especially 0.001% by weight to 10% by weight of enzyme protein, especially 0.001% by weight to 5% by weight of enzyme protein, based on the total weight of the inventive polymer composition.

Amylases:

In principle, all α- and/or β-amylases are suitable. Suitable amylases may in principle originate from bacteria or fungi. These also include chemically or genetically modified mutants.

Examples of suitable amylases are α-amylases obtained from a specific strain of B. amyloliquefaciens or B. licheniformis, described in detail in GB 1,296,839. Further suitable amylases comprise backbones known as SP707 from Bacillus sp, AP1378, BSG B. stearothermophilus alpha-amylase, SP690, SP722, and AA560 from Bacillus sp. Suitable commercially available amylases are Stainzyme™, Stainzyme Plus™, Natalase™, Duramyl™, Termamyl™, Fungamyl™ and BAN™ (available from Novozymes A/S), and Rapidase™, PREFERENZ™ S, EXCELLENZ™ S and Maxamyl P™ (available from Genencor).

The inventive compositions preferably comprise at least one amylase in an amount of 0.00001% by weight to 30% by weight of enzyme protein, more preferably of 0.0001% by weight to 15% by weight of enzyme protein, especially 0.001% by weight to 10% by weight of enzyme protein, especially 0.001% by weight to 5% by weight of enzyme protein, based on the total weight of the inventive polymer composition.

Cellulases:

In principle, all cellulases are suitable. Suitable cellulases may in principle originate from bacteria or fungi. These also include chemically or genetically modified mutants.

Suitable cellulases are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,307. These are fungal cellulases produced from Humicola insolens. Cellulases having color care properties are especially suitable. Examples of such cellulases are described in EP 0 495 257.

Suitable commercially available cellulases comprise Celluzyme™ produced from a strain of Humicola insolens, Carezyme™, Celluclean™, Endolase™, Whitezyme™ (Novozymes A/S), REVITALENZ™ (DuPont), Biotouch C™ (AB Enzymes) and KAC-500(B)™ (Kao Corporation).

The inventive compositions preferably comprise at least one cellulase in an amount of 0.00001% by weight to 30% by weight of enzyme protein, more preferably of 0.0001% by weight to 15% by weight of enzyme protein, especially 0.001% by weight to 10% by weight of enzyme protein, especially 0.001% by weight to 5% by weight of enzyme protein, based on the total weight of the inventive polymer composition.

Peroxidases/Oxidases:

Suitable peroxidases/oxidases may in principle originate from plants, bacteria or fungi. These also include chemically or genetically modified mutants.

Peroxidase enzymes are used in combination with hydrogen peroxide or a hydrogen peroxide source (e.g. a percarbonate, perborate or persulfate). Oxidative enzymes are used in combination with oxygen. Both enzyme types are used for “solution bleaching”, in order to avoid dye transfer from a colored fabric to another fabric when they are washed together in a liquor. They can preferably be used together with action improvers described, for example, in WO 94/12621 and WO 95/01426.

The inventive compositions preferably comprise at least one peroxidase or oxidase in an amount of 0.00001% by weight to 30% by weight of enzyme protein, more preferably of 0.0001% by weight to 15% by weight of enzyme protein, especially 0.001% by weight to 10% by weight of enzyme protein, especially 0.001% by weight to 5% by weight of enzyme protein, based on the total weight of the inventive polymer composition.

Lyases:

In principle, all lyases are suitable. Suitable lyases may in principle originate from bacteria or fungi. These also include chemically or genetically modified mutants.

Suitable lyases are pectate lyases or pectin lyases. Suitable commercially available lyases comprise XPect™ (Novozymes A/S) and PREFERENZ™ F (DuPont).

The inventive compositions preferably comprise at least one lyase in an amount of 0.00001% by weight to 30% by weight of enzyme protein, more preferably of 0.0001% by weight to 15% by weight of enzyme protein, especially 0.001% by weight to 10% by weight of enzyme protein, especially 0.001% by weight to 5% by weight of enzyme protein, based on the total weight of the inventive polymer composition.

Inventive compositions may comprise further enzymes encompassed by the term hemicellulases. These include, for example, mannanases, xanthan lyases, pectinylases (=pectinases), pectin esterases, xyloglucanases (=xylanases), pullulanases and β-glucanases.

The inventive compositions preferably comprise at least one hemicellulase in an amount of 0.00001% by weight to 30% by weight of enzyme protein, more preferably of 0.0001% by weight to 15% by weight of enzyme protein, especially 0.001% by weight to 10% by weight of enzyme protein, especially 0.001% by weight to 5% by weight of enzyme protein, based on the total weight of the inventive polymer composition.

The inventive washing and cleaning composition preferably comprises at least one enzyme selected from proteases, amylases, mannanases, cellulases, lipases, pectin lyases and mixtures thereof.

The inventive washing and cleaning composition preferably comprises at least one protease and/or amylase.

The inventive washing and cleaning composition preferably comprises at least one enzyme mixture. Preference is given, for example, to enzyme mixtures comprising or consisting of the following enzymes:

-   -   protease and amylase,     -   protease and lipase (or lipolytic enzymes),     -   protease and cellulase,     -   amylase, cellulase and lipase (or lipolytic enzymes),     -   protease, amylase and lipase (or lipolytic enzymes),     -   protease, lipase (or lipolytic enzymes) and cellulase.

The enzymes may be adsorbed on carrier substances in order to protect them from premature breakdown.

Optionally, the inventive washing and cleaning composition may also comprise enzyme stabilizers. Examples of these include calcium propionate, sodium formate, boric acids, boronic acids and salts thereof, such as 4-formylphenylboronic acid, peptides and peptide derivatives, for example peptide aldehydes, polyols such as propane-1,2-diol, and mixtures thereof.

Component d)

The bleaches d) are preferably bleach systems which, as well as bleaches, possibly also comprise bleach activators, bleach catalysts and/or bleach stabilizers.

Suitable bleaches are, for example, percarboxylic acids, for example diperoxododecanedicarboxylic acid, phthalimidopercaproic acid or monoperoxophthalic acid or -terephthalic acid, salts of percarboxylic acids, for example sodium percarbonate, adducts of hydrogen peroxide onto inorganic salts, for example sodium perborate monohydrate, sodium perborate tetrahydrate, sodium carbonate perhydrate or sodium phosphate perhydrate, adducts of hydrogen peroxide onto organic compounds, for example urea perhydrate, or of inorganic peroxo salts, for example alkali metal persulfates or peroxodisulfates.

Suitable bleach activators are, for example, polyacylated sugars, e.g. pentaacetylglucose; acyloxybenzenesulfonic acids and their alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts, e.g. sodium p-nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate or sodium p-benzoyloxybenzenesulfonate;

-   -   N,N-diacylated and N,N,N′,N′-tetraacylated amines, e.g.         N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetylmethylenediamine and -ethylenediamine         (TAED), N,N-diacetylaniline, N,N-diacetyl-p-toluidine or         1,3-diacylated hydantoins such as         1,3-diacetyl-5,5-dimethylhydantoin;         N-alkyl-N-sulfonylcarbonamides, e.g. N-methyl-N-mesylacetamide         or N-methyl-N-mesylbenzamide; N-acylated cyclic hydrazides,         acylated triazoles or urazoles, e.g. monoacetylmaleic hydrazide;         O,N,N-trisubstituted hydroxylamines, e.g.         O-benzoyl-N,N-succinylhydroxylamine,         O-acetyl-N,N-succinylhydroxylamine or         O,N,N-triacetylhydroxylamine; N,N′-diacylsulfurylamides, e.g.         N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-diacetylsulfurylamide or         N,N′-diethyl-N,N′-dipropionylsulfurylamide; acylated lactams,         for example acetylcaprolactam, octanoylcaprolactam,         benzoylcaprolactam or carbonylbiscaprolactam; anthranil         derivatives, for example 2-methylanthranil or 2-phenylanthranil;         triacyl cyanurates, e.g. triacetyl cyanurate or tribenzoyl         cyanurate; oxime esters and bisoxime esters, for example         O-acetylacetone oxime or bisisopropyl iminocarbonate; carboxylic         anhydrides, e.g. acetic anhydride, benzoic anhydride,         m-chlorobenzoic anhydride or phthalic anhydride; enol esters,         for example isopropenyl acetate;         1,3-diacyl-4,5-diacyloxyimidazolines, e.g.         1,3-diacetyl-4,5-diacetoxyimidazoline; tetraacetylglycoluril and         tetrapropionylglycoluril; diacylated 2,5-diketopiperazines, e.g.         1,4-diacetyl-2,5-diketopiperazine; ammonium-substituted         nitriles, for example N-methylmorpholinioacetonitrile         methylsulfate; acylation products of propylenediurea and         2,2-dimethylpropylenediurea, e.g. tetraacetylpropylenediurea;         α-acyloxypolyacylmalonamides, e.g.         α-acetoxy-N,N′-diacetylmalonamide;         diacyldioxohexahydro-1,3,5-triazines, e.g.         1,5-diacetyl-2,4-dioxohexahydro-1,3,5-triazine;         benz-(4H)-1,3-oxazin-4-ones with alkyl radicals, e.g. methyl, or         aromatic radicals, e.g. phenyl, in the 2 position.

A bleach system composed of bleaches and bleach activators may optionally also comprise bleach catalysts. Suitable bleach catalysts are, for example, quaternized imines and sulfonimines, described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,569 and EP-A 453 003. Particularly effective bleach catalysts are manganese complexes, described, for example, in WO-A 94/21777. In the case that they are used in the washing and cleaning compositions, such compounds are incorporated at most in amounts up to 1.5% by weight, especially up to 0.5% by weight, and in the case of very active manganese complexes in amounts up to 0.1% by weight. In addition to the described bleach system composed of bleaches, bleach activators and optionally bleach catalysts, it is also possible to use systems with enzymatic peroxide release or photoactivated bleach systems for the inventive washing and cleaning compositions.

Component f)

The polymer compositions used in accordance with the invention are suitable even alone for modifying the rheological properties for the purposes of thickening.

In order to impart the desired viscosity to the inventive formulation, it is additionally possible to use at least one thickener f).

In principle, any known thickeners (rheology modifiers) are suitable, provided that they do not exert any adverse effect on the action of the washing and cleaning composition. Suitable thickeners may be of natural origin or synthetic in nature.

Examples of thickeners of natural origin are xanthan, carob seed flour, guar flour, carrageenan, agar, tragacanth, gum arabic, alginates, modified starches such as hydroxyethyl starch, starch phosphate esters or starch acetates, dextrins, pectins, and cellulose derivatives such as carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose and the like.

Thickeners of natural origin are also inorganic thickeners, such as polysilicic acids and clay minerals, e.g. sheet silicates, and also the silicates specified for the builders.

Examples of synthetic thickeners are polyacrylic and polymethacrylic compounds, such as (partly) crosslinked homopolymers of acrylic acid, for example with an allyl ether of sucrose or pentaerythritol or homopolymers of acrylic acid crosslinked with propylene (carbomer), for example the Carbopol® products from BF Goodrich (e.g. Carbopol® 676, 940, 941, 934 and the like) or the Polygel® products from 3V Sigma (e.g. Polygel® DA), copolymers of ethylenically unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acids, for example terpolymers of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or maleic acid with methyl or ethyl acrylate and a (meth)acrylate which is derived from long-chain ethoxylated alcohols, for example the Acusol® products from Rohm & Haas (e.g. Acusol® 820 or 1206A), copolymers of two or more monomers, which are selected from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and their C₁-C₄-alkyl esters, for example copolymers of methacrylic acid, butyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate or of butyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate, for example the Aculyn® and Acusol® products from Rohm & Haas (e.g. Aculyn® 22, 28 or 33 and Acusol® 810, 823 and 830), or crosslinked high molecular weight acrylic acid copolymers, for example copolymers, crosslinked with an allyl ether of sucrose or pentaerythritol, of C₁₀-C₃₀-alkyl acrylates with one or more comonomers which are selected from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and their C₁-C₄-alkyl esters (e.g. Carbopol® ETD 2623, Carbopol® 1382 or Carbopol® AQUA 30 from Rohm & Haas).

Examples of synthetic thickeners are also reaction products of maleic acid polymers with ethoxylated long-chain alcohols, for example the Surfonic L series from Texaco Chemical Co. or Gantrez AN-119 from ISP; polyethylene glycols, polyamides, polylmines and polycarboxylic acids.

Mixtures of the abovementioned thickeners are also suitable.

Preferred thickeners are xanthans and the abovementioned polyacrylic and polymethacrylic compounds.

Component g)

Suitable additional surfactants g) other than component a) may be cationic, anionic, zwitterionic or nonionic. Suitable surfactants are those mentioned above for the surfactant systems.

Suitable organic solvents g) are selected from mono- or polyhydric alcohols, alkanolamines and glycol ethers. They are preferably selected from ethanol, n- or i-propanol, butanols, glycol, propane- or butanediol, glycerol, diglycol, propyl or butyl diglycol, hexylene glycol, ethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol ethyl ether, ethylene glycol propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether, propylene glycol methyl, ethyl or propyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl or monoethyl ether, diisopropylene glycol monomethyl or monoethyl ether, methoxy-, ethoxy- or butoxytriglycol, i-butoxyethoxy-2-propanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol t-butyl ether and mixtures of these solvents.

Useful foam inhibitors or defoamers for component g) include, for example, soaps, paraffins or silicone oils, which may optionally be applied to support materials.

Suitable bases for component g) are alkali metal hydroxides, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, alkali metal carbonates, alkaline earth metal carbonates, ammonium carbonate, alkali metal hydrogencarbonates, alkaline earth metal hydrogencarbonates, ammonium hydrogencarbonate and mixtures thereof. Preference is given to using sodium, lithium and magnesium carbonates or sodium, lithium and magnesium hydrogencarbonates, especially sodium carbonate and/or sodium hydrogencarbonate.

In addition, the washing or cleaning compositions in gel form may comprise further ingredients g) which further improve performance and/or esthetic properties of the washing or cleaning composition in gel form. In general, preferred compositions comprise, in addition to the aforementioned components, at least one further additive selected from electrolytes, pH modifiers, perfume carriers, fluorescers, hydrotropes, antiredeposition agents, optical brighteners, graying inhibitors, shrink inhibitors, crease inhibitors, dye transfer inhibitors, active antimicrobial ingredients, antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors, antistats, ironing aids, hydrophobizing and impregnating agents, swell and antislip agents and UV absorbers.

In order to improve the esthetic impression of the washing or cleaning compositions in gel form, they can be colored with suitable dyes. Preferred dyes, the selection of which presents no difficulty whatsoever to the person skilled in the art, have a high storage stability and insensitivity with respect to the other ingredients of the compositions and to light, and do not have any marked substantivity toward textile fibers, in order not to stain them.

I & I Cleaners

The inventive polymer compositions are especially suitable for industrial and institutional cleaners (I & I cleaners). Industrial and institutional cleaners are typically washing compositions, all-purpose cleaners, foam cleaners, gel cleaners, CIP (cleaning in place) cleaners for professional and generally automated cleaning operations, for example in industrial laundries, dairies, breweries, the food and drink industry, the pharmaceutical industry or pharmaceutical formulation, or sanitary cleaners.

The cleaners may be strongly basic with a high electrolyte content and, if required, comprise bleaches (such as hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite) or disinfectants and defoamers (for example in bottle cleaning). It is also possible for the standard aforementioned enzymes to be present in the industrial and institutional cleaners. There is a great variety in terms of the types of cleaning for which the inventive formulations are suitable. Examples include cleaning baths (stationary or mobile), spray cleaning, ultrasound cleaning, steam jet cleaning and high-pressure cleaning, optionally in combination with mechanical cleaning, for example by means of rotating brushes.

Said formulations for cleaning include those for industry, transport, commerce and industry, and for the private sector. Specific examples include: professional laundries, professional cleaning businesses, ore processing industry, metal and metalworking industry, automobile and automobile supply industry, electrical industry, electronics industry, photographic industry and businesses, leisure industry and businesses, construction material industry, brewing industry and businesses; foods industry (e.g. processing or production of meat, poultry, dairy and fish products), animal nutrition industry, cosmetics industry, pharmaceutical industry, agrochemical industry, gastronomy, the health sector, workshops, and public transport. Examples of objects to be cleaned are institutional laundry, hospital laundry, laundry from laundry collection, buildings containing living spaces, office spaces or commercial spaces of a wide variety of different kinds, and sanitary spaces, warehouses, breweries, small businesses such as bakeries, butcheries and supermarkets; hospitals, care homes, homes for the elderly, administration buildings, factory buildings, doctors' practices; and also motor vehicles (cars and trucks), buses, road tanker vehicles (interior and exterior), rail tanker wagons, passenger vehicles and goods vehicles, and aircraft and ships; and also building facades, tiled or painted walls, wooden floors (parquet, boards) with screed or textile or plastics coverings, signaling and lighting installations, furniture, railings, overhead signage, other signage, safety reflectors, delineating markers, tanks, dishware, glass panes, roads and paths, outside paving, road and railway tunnels.

Acidic Sanitary Cleaners

The inventive polymer composition is also advantageously suitable for production of cleaners for the sanitary sector comprising at least one organic acid. Acidic sanitary cleaners are especially suitable for WC cleaning, for cleaning of washbasins, shower cubicles, shower trays and swimming baths, and sinks in the kitchen sector. They are effective, for example, in the removal of limescale and urine scale deposits and in the removal of bacteria which typically form on the limescale and urine scale deposits. They ensure cleanliness and effectively prevent malodors. It has now been found that, surprisingly, the inventive polymer composition in gel form has high compatibility with acidic surfactant compositions and is particularly advantageously suitable for use in acidic sanitary cleaners.

A preferred acidic sanitary cleaner preferably comprises the following constituents:

-   -   at least one inventive polymer composition in gel form,     -   at least one organic acid,     -   optionally water,     -   optionally at least one thickener, and     -   optionally at least one further additive.

The acidic sanitary cleaner is preferably in the liquid form or especially in gel form.

Suitable organic acids are formic acid, acetic acid, citric acid or methanesulfonic acid. Particular preference is given to acetic acid or citric acid. The inventive cleaner comprises the organic acid preferably in an amount of 1% to 40% by weight, especially of 5% to 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the cleaner.

The inventive cleaner preferably comprises at least one surfactant in an amount of 0.5% to 50% by weight, especially of 1% to 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the cleaner.

Suitable thickeners are those mentioned above as component f), to which reference is made here in full.

Suitable additives are those mentioned above as component g), to which reference is made here in full. These especially include stabilizers, dyes and fragrances.

Adhesive Composition

The inventive polymer composition is suitable for production of adhesive compositions which are adhesive, meaning that they are capable of bonding substrates, without any noticeable change in the substrates themselves, the coherence of the substrates bonded being determined by adhesive forces (attraction forces between adhesive and substrate) and cohesion (internal cohesion of the adhesive).

Polymer compositions for preparation of an adhesive composition are obtained by free-radical polymerization of the monomer composition M) comprising at least one α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid A) as defined above. Preferred monomers A) are selected from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid and fumaric acid. The acid groups may be in protonated form or in the form of their salts. Preferably, the monomer composition comprises 0.5% to 15% by weight, more preferably 1% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomer composition, of at least one α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid A). Particular preference is given to acrylic acid.

Suitable comonomers are, for example, alkyl (meth)acrylates having a C₁-C₁₀-alkyl radical, such as methyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate and ethylhexyl acrylate. In particular, mixtures of alkyl (meth)acrylates are also suitable. Vinyl esters of carboxylic acids having 1 to 20 carbon atoms are, for example, vinyl laurate, vinyl stearate, vinyl propionate, vinyl versatate and vinyl acetate. Useful vinylaromatic compounds include vinyltoluene, α- and p-methylstyrene, α-butylstyrene, 4-n-butylstyrene, 4-n-decylstyrene and, preferably, styrene. Examples of nitriles are acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile. The vinyl halides are ethylenically unsaturated compounds substituted by chlorine, fluorine or bromine, preferably vinyl chloride and vinylidene chloride. Examples of vinyl ethers include vinyl methyl ether or vinyl isobutyl ether. Preference is given to vinyl ethers of alcohols comprising 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Suitable hydrocarbons having 4 to 8 carbon atoms and two olefinic double bonds are, for example, butadiene, isoprene and chloroprene. Further monomers are, for example, also monomers comprising hydroxyl groups, especially C₁-C₁₀-hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates or (meth)acrylamide. Further monomers additionally include phenyloxyethyl glycol mono(meth)acrylate, glycidyl (meth)acrylate, aminoalkyl (meth)acrylates, for example 2-aminoethyl (meth)acrylate. Alkyl groups preferably have from 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Further monomers also include crosslinking monomers.

Preferred polyether components PE) are the aforementioned polyetherols and especially polyethylene glycols.

The type and amount of the monomers and the ratios of different comonomers to one another are such that the glass transition temperature is within the aforementioned range.

The inventive adhesive compositions may comprise at least one solvent or dispersant. The solvent or dispersant in the adhesive composition may consist either solely of water or mixtures of water and liquids miscible therewith, such as methanol or ethanol. Preference is given to using solely water. The pH of the adhesive composition is preferably adjusted to pH greater than 4.5, especially to a pH between 5 and 9.5.

The adhesive compositions may consist solely of the polymer composition in gel form. The adhesive compositions may, however, also comprise further additives, for example fillers, dyes, leveling agents, thickeners (preferably associative thickeners), defoamers, pigments, wetting agents or tackifiers (tackifying resins). For better wetting of the surfaces, the adhesives may comprise wetting aids, for example fatty alcohol ethoxylates, alkylphenol ethoxylates, nonylphenol ethoxylates, polyoxyethylenes, polyoxypropylenes or sodium dodecylsulfonate. The amount of additives is generally 0.05 to 5 parts by weight, especially 0.1 to 3 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of polymer composition.

In one embodiment, the adhesive composition is essentially free of plasticizers. Plasticizers are additives which lower the adhesive power. “Essentially free of plasticizers” means that the compositions comprise less than 1% by weight, preferably less than 0.5% by weight, based on the overall composition, of plasticizers, and more preferably do not comprise any plasticizers.

The inventive adhesive composition is preferably a pressure-sensitive adhesive. A pressure-sensitive adhesive is a viscoelastic adhesive which sets to form a film at room temperature (20° C.) that remains permanently tacky and adhesive in the dry state. Adhesion to substrates is effected immediately by gentle pressure.

The inventive adhesive composition can be used to bond at least two substrates or to produce self-adhesive articles. The substrates or self-adhesive articles to be bonded are at least partly coated with the pressure-sensitive adhesive. Preferably, the self-adhesive articles are redetachable after bonding. The self-adhesive articles may, for example, be films, tapes or labels. Suitable carrier materials are, for example, paper, polymer films and metal foils. The inventive self-adhesive tapes may be tapes of the above substances coated on one or both sides. Inventive self-adhesive labels may be labels made of paper or a thermoplastic film. Useful thermoplastic films include, for example, films of polyolefins (e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene), polyolefin copolymers, films of polyesters (e.g. polyethylene terephthalate) or polyacetate. The surfaces of the thermoplastic polymer films have preferably been corona-treated. The labels have been coated with adhesive on one side. Preferred substrates for the self-adhesive articles are paper and polymer films. Preferred self-adhesive articles are paper labels. The articles have been coated at least partly with an inventive adhesive composition on at least one surface. The adhesive can be applied to the articles by customary methods such as knife coating or spreading. The amount applied is preferably 0.1 to 20 g, more preferably 2 to 15 g, of solid per m². The application may be followed by a drying step to remove the water or the solvents. The substrates which are bonded to one another or to which the self-adhesive articles can advantageously be applied may, for example, be metal, wood, glass, paper or plastic. The self-adhesive articles are especially suitable for bonding to packaging surfaces, cardboard boxes, plastic packaging, books, windows, vehicle bodies or vehicle body parts. The self-adhesive articles of specific embodiments can be pulled off the articles again by hand, without any adhesive residue remaining on the article. The adhesion to the articles is good; nevertheless, it is easily possible to pull off the films, tapes and labels.

Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Compositions

The inventive polymer compositions are preferentially suitable for formulation of cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, especially aqueous cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.

The invention further provides a cosmetic or pharmaceutical preparation comprising

-   a) at least one inventive polymer composition in gel form, as     defined above, -   b) at least one cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable active,     and -   c) optionally at least one cosmetically or pharmaceutically     acceptable auxiliary other than components a) and b).

Preferably, component c) comprises at least one cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Preferably, the carrier component c) is selected from

-   i) water, -   ii) water-miscible organic solvents, preferably C₂-C₄-alkanols,     especially ethanol, -   iii) oils, fats, waxes, -   iv) esters, other than iii), of C₆-C₃₀-monocarboxylic acids with     mono-, di- or trihydric alcohols, -   v) saturated acyclic and cyclic hydrocarbons, -   vi) fatty acids, -   vii) fatty alcohols, -   viii) propellant gases,     and mixtures thereof.

Suitable hydrophilic components c) are the aforementioned organic solvents, oils and fats.

Especially suitable cosmetically acceptable oil and fat components c) are described in Karl-Heinz Schrader, Grundlagen und Rezepturen der Kosmetika, 2nd edition, Verlag Huthig, Heidelberg, p. 319-355, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The inventive cosmetic products may be skin-cosmetic, hair-cosmetic, dermatological, hygiene or pharmaceutical products. The inventive polymer composition is especially also suitable for formulation of gels.

The inventive products are preferably in the form of a gel, foam, spray, ointment, cream, emulsion, suspension, lotion, milk or paste. If desired, it is also possible to use liposomes or microspheres. The inventive polymer composition is especially suitable for formulation of gels.

The inventive cosmetic compositions may additionally comprise cosmetic and/or dermatologically active and effective substances, and also auxiliaries. Preferably, the inventive cosmetic compositions comprise at least one inventive polymer composition, as defined above, at least one carrier C) as defined above and at least one different constituent preferably selected from cosmetic actives, emulsifiers, surfactants, preservatives, perfume oils, additional thickeners, hair polymers, hair and skin conditioners, graft polymers, water-soluble or dispersible silicone-containing polymers, light stabilizers, bleaches, gel formers, care agents, tints, tanning agents, dyes, pigments, consistency regulators, humectants, refatting agents, collagen, protein hydrolyzates, lipids, antioxidants, defoamers, antistats, emollients and softeners.

In addition to the inventive polymer compositions, the cosmetic compositions may comprise at least one conventional thickener. These include, for example, polysaccharides and organic sheet minerals such as Xanthan Gum® (Kelzan® from Kelco), Rhodopol® 23 (Rhone Poulenc) or Veegum® (from R. T. Vanderbilt) or Attaclay® (from Engelhardt). Suitable thickeners are also organic natural thickeners (agar-agar, carrageenan, tragacanth, gum arabic, alginates, pectins, polyoses, guar flour, carob seed flour, starch, dextrins, gelatin, casein) and inorganic thickeners (polysilicic acids, clay minerals such as montmorillonites, zeolites, silicas). Further thickeners are polysaccharide gums, for example gum arabic, agar, alginates, carrageenans and salts thereof, guar, guaran, tragacanth, gellan, ramsan, dextran or xanthan and derivatives thereof, for example propoxylated guar, and mixtures thereof. Other polysaccharide thickeners are, for example, starches of a wide variety of different origins and starch derivatives, for example hydroxyethyl starch, starch phosphate esters or starch acetates, or carboxymethyl cellulose or the sodium salt thereof, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose or hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, or cellulose acetate. The thickeners used may additionally be sheet silicates. These include, for example, the magnesium or sodium-magnesium sheet silicates obtainable under the Laponite® trade name from Solvay Alkali, and the magnesium silicates from Süd-Chemie.

Suitable cosmetic and/or dermatological actives are, for example, skin and hair pigmenting agents, tanning agents, bleaches, keratin-hardening substances, antimicrobials, light filtering actives, repellent actives, hyperemic actives, keratolytic and keratoplastic substances, antidandruff actives, antiphlogistics, keratinizing actives, antioxidant and free radical-scavenging actives, skin moisturizers or humectants, refatting actives, deodorizing actives, sebostatic actives, plant extracts, antierythematous or antiallergic actives and mixtures thereof.

Artificial tanning actives suitable for tanning the skin without natural or artificial irradiation with UV rays are, for example, dihydroxyacetone, alloxan and walnut shell extract. Suitable keratin-hardening substances are generally actives as also used in antiperspirants, for example potassium aluminum sulfate, aluminum hydroxychloride, aluminum lactate, etc. Antimicrobials are used to destroy microorganisms or to inhibit their growth and thus serve both as a preservative and as a deodorant which reduces the formation or intensity of body odor. These include, for example, customary preservatives known to the person skilled in the art, such as p-hydroxybenzoic esters, imidazolidinylurea, formaldehyde, sorbic acid, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, etc. Such deodorizing substances are, for example, zinc ricinoleate, triclosan, undecylenic acid alkylolamides, triethyl citrate, chlorhexidine etc. Suitable light filter actives are substances which absorb UV rays in the UV-B and/or UV-A region. Suitable UV filters are those mentioned above. Additionally suitable are p-aminobenzoic esters, cinnamic esters, benzophenones, camphor derivatives, and pigments which stop UV rays, such as titanium dioxide, talc and zinc oxide. Suitable repellent actives are compounds capable of warding off or driving away certain animals, particularly insects, from humans. These include, for example, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide etc. Suitable substances with hyperemic activity, which stimulate blood flow through the skin are, for example, essential oils, such as dwarf pine, lavender, rosemary, juniperberry, roast chestnut extract, birch leaf extract, hayseed extract, ethyl acetate, camphor, menthol, peppermint oil, rosemary extract, eucalyptus oil, etc. Suitable keratolytic and keratoplastic substances are, for example, salicylic acid, calcium thioglycolate, thioglycolic acid and its salts, sulfur, etc. Suitable antidandruff active are, for example, sulfur, sulfur polyethylene glycol sorbitan monooleate, sulfur ricinol polyethoxylate, zinc pyrithione, aluminum pyrithione, etc. Suitable antiphlogistics, which counter skin irritations, are, for example, allantoin, bisabolol, Dragosantol, chamomile extract, panthenol, etc.

The inventive cosmetic compositions may comprise, as a cosmetic active (and optionally also as an auxiliary), at least one cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable polymer. These include, in quite general terms, anionic, cationic, amphoteric and uncharged polymers.

Examples of anionic polymers are copolymers of acrylic acid and acrylamide and salts thereof; sodium salts of polyhydroxycarboxylic acids, water-soluble or water-dispersible polyesters, polyurethanes, e.g. Luviset PUR® from BASF, and polyureas. Particularly suitable polymers are copolymers of t-butyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, methacrylic acid (e.g. Luvimer® 100P), copolymers of ethyl acrylate and methacrylic acid (e.g. Luvimer® MAE), copolymers of N-tert-butylacrylamide, ethyl acrylate, acrylic acid (Ultrahold® 8, strong), copolymers of vinyl acetate, crotonic acid and optionally further vinyl esters (e.g. Luviset® products), maleic anhydride copolymers, optionally reacted with alcohol, anionic polysiloxanes, e.g. carboxy-functional, t-butyl acrylate, methacrylic acid (e.g. Luviskol® VBM), copolymers of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid with hydrophobic monomers, for example C₄-C₃₀-alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid, C₄-C₃₀-alkyl vinyl esters, C₄-C₃₀-alkyl vinyl ethers and hyaluronic acid. Another example of an anionic polymer is the methyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid/acrylic acid/urethane acrylate copolymer obtainable under the Luviset® Shape name (INCI Name: Polyacrylate-22). Further examples of anionic polymers are vinyl acetate/crotonic acid copolymers, as commercially available, for example, under the Resyn® (National Starch) and Gafset® (GAF) names, and vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acrylate copolymers obtainable, for example, under the Luviflex® (BASF) trade name. Further suitable polymers are the vinylpyrrolidone/acrylate terpolymer available under the Luviflex® VBM-35 (BASF) name, and sodium sulfonate-containing polyamides or sodium sulfonate-containing polyesters. Additionally suitable are vinylpyrrolidone/ethyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid copolymers, as sold by Stepan under the Stepanhold-Extra and —R1 names, and the Carboset® products from BF Goodrich.

Suitable cationic polymers are, for example, cationic polymers having the INCI name Polyquaternium, e.g. copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone/N-vinylimidazolium salts (Luviquat® FC, Luviquat® HM, Luviquat® MS, Luviset Clear®, Luviquat Supreme®, Luviquat® Care), copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone/dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, quaternized with diethyl sulfate (Luviquat® PQ 11), copolymers of N-vinylcaprolactam/N-vinylpyrrolidone/N-vinylimidazolium salts (Luviquat® Hold); cationic cellulose derivatives (Polyquaternium-4 and -10), acrylamido copolymers (Polyquaternium-7) and chitosan. Suitable cationic (quaternized) polymers are also Merquat® (polymer based on dimethyldiallylammonium chloride), Gafquat® (quaternary polymers which form through reaction of polyvinylpyrrolidone with quaternary ammonium compounds), polymer JR (hydroxyethyl cellulose with cationic groups) and plant-based cationic polymers, e.g. guar polymers, such as the Jaguar® products from Rhodia.

Very particularly suitable polymers are uncharged polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidones, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate and/or vinyl propionate, polysiloxanes, polyvinylcaprolactam and other copolymers with N-vinylpyrrolidone, polyethyleneimines and salts thereof, polyvinylamines and salts thereof, cellulose derivatives, polyaspartic salts and derivatives. Examples of these include Luviflex® Swing (partly hydrolyzed copolymer of polyvinyl acetate and polyethylene glycol, from BASF).

Suitable polymers are also nonionic, water-soluble or water-dispersible polymers or oligomers, such as polyvinylcaprolactam, e.g. Luviskol® Plus (BASF SE), or polyvinylpyrrolidone and copolymers thereof, especially with vinyl esters such as vinyl acetate, e.g. Luviskol® VA 37, VA 55, VA 64, VA 73 (BASF SE); polyamides, for example based on itaconic acid and aliphatic diamines, as described, for example, in DE-A-43 33 238.

Suitable polymers are also amphoteric or zwitterionic polymers, such as the octyl acrylamide/methyl methacrylate/tert-butylaminoethyl methacrylate/2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate copolymers obtainable under the Amphomer® names (National Starch), and zwitterionic polymers as disclosed, for example, in German patent applications DE 39 29 973, DE 21 50 557, DE 28 17 369 and DE 37 08 451. Acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride/acrylic acid or methacrylic acid copolymers and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof are preferred zwitterionic polymers. Further suitable zwitterionic polymers are methacryloylethyl betaine/methacrylate copolymers, commercially available under the Amersette® name (AMERCHOL), and copolymers of hydroxyethyl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate, N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate and acrylic acid (Jordapon®).

Suitable polymers are also nonionic, siloxane-containing, water-soluble or -dispersible polymers, for example polyethersiloxanes such as Tegopren® (Goldschmidt) or Belsil® (Wacker).

In a specific execution, the inventive compositions comprise at least one polymer which acts as a thickener.

Suitable polymeric thickeners are, for example, optionally modified polymeric natural substances (carboxymethyl cellulose and other cellulose ethers, hydroxyethyl and hydroxypropyl cellulose and the like) and synthetic polymeric thickeners (polyacrylic and polymethacrylic compounds, vinyl polymers, polycarboxylic acids, polyethers, polyimines, polyamides). These include the polyacrylic and polymethacrylic compounds, some of which have already been mentioned above, for example the high molecular weight homopolymers of acrylic acid crosslinked with a polyalkenyl polyether, especially an allyl ether of sucrose, pentaerythritol or propylene (INCI name: Carbomer). Polyacrylic acids of this kind are obtainable, inter alia, from BF Goodrich under the Carbopol® trade name, e.g. Carbopol 940 (molecular weight about 4 000 000 daltons), Carbopol 941 (molecular weight about 1 250 000 daltons) or Carbopol 934 (molecular weight about 3 000 000 daltons). These additionally include acrylic acid copolymers obtainable, for example, from Rohm & Haas under the Aculyn® and Acusol® trade names, for example the anionic, non-associative polymers Aculyn 22, Aculyn 28, Aculyn 33 (crosslinked), Acusol 810, Acusol 823 and Acusol 830 (CAS 25852-37-3). Also especially suitable are associative thickeners, for example based on modified polyurethanes (HEUR) or hydrophobically modified acrylic or methacrylic acid copolymers (HASE thickeners, High Alkali Swellable Emulsion).

In a preferred embodiment, the inventive product is a skin cleanser.

Preferred skin cleansers are soaps of liquid to gel consistency, such as transparent soaps, luxury soaps, deodorant soaps, cream soaps, baby soaps, skin protection soaps, abrasive soaps and syndets, pasty soaps, greasy soaps and washing pastes, liquid washing, showering and bathing preparations, such as washing lotions, shower baths and gels, foam baths, oil baths and scrub preparations, shaving foams, lotions and creams.

In a further preferred embodiment, the inventive products are cosmetic products for care and protection of the skin, nail care products or preparations for decorative cosmetics.

Suitable skin-cosmetic products are, for example, face tonics, face masks, deodorants and other cosmetic lotions. Products for use in decorative cosmetics comprise, for example, concealing sticks, stage makeup, mascara and eyeshadow, lipsticks, kohl pencils, eyeliners, blushers, powders and eyebrow pencils.

In addition, the inventive polymer compositions can be used in nose strips for pore cleansing, in antiacne compositions, repellents, shaving compositions, hair removal compositions, intimate care compositions, footcare compositions, and in babycare.

More particularly, the inventive skincare products are W/O or O/W skin creams, day and night creams, eye creams, face creams, antiwrinkle creams, moisturizing creams, bleaching creams, vitamin creams, skin lotions, care lotions and moisturizing lotions.

Skin-cosmetic and dermatological products based on the above-described inventive polymer compositions show advantageous effects. One effect of the polymers is to contribute to the moisturization and conditioning of the skin and to an improvement in the feel of the skin. Through addition of the inventive polymers, it is possible in certain formulations to achieve a considerable improvement in skin compatibility.

Skin-cosmetic and dermatological products comprise preferably at least one inventive polymer composition in a proportion of about 0.001 to 30% by weight, preferably 0.01 to 20% by weight, most preferably 0.1 to 12% by weight, based on the total weight of the product.

According to the field of use, the inventive compositions can be applied in a form suitable for skincare, for example in the form of a cream, foam, gel, stick, mousse, milk, spray (pump spray or propellant-containing spray) or lotion.

As well as the inventive polymer compositions and suitable carriers, the skin-cosmetic preparations may also comprise further actives and auxiliaries customary in skin cosmetics, as described above. These preferably include emulsifiers, preservatives, perfume oils, cosmetic actives such as phytantriol, vitamin A, E and C, retinol, bisabolol, panthenol, light stabilizers, bleaches, tanning agents, collagen, protein hydrolyzates, stabilizers, pH regulators, dyes, salts, thickeners, gel formers, consistency regulators, silicones, humectants, refatting agents and further customary additives.

Preferred oil and fat components of the skin-cosmetic and dermatological products are the aforementioned mineral and synthetic oils, for example paraffins, silicone oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons having more than 8 carbon atoms, animal and vegetable oils, for example sunflower oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil, lanolin, or waxes, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, for example triglycerides of C₆-C₃₀ fatty acids, wax esters, for example jojoba oil, fatty alcohols, vaseline, hydrogenated lanolin and acetylated lanolin, and mixtures thereof.

It is also possible to blend the inventive polymer composition with conventional polymers, as described above, if specific properties are to be established.

To establish particular properties, for example improving the tactile properties, the spreading characteristics, the water resistance and/or the binding of actives and auxiliaries, such as pigments, the skin-cosmetic and dermatological preparations may additionally also comprise conditioning substances based on silicone compounds. Suitable silicone compounds are, for example, polyalkylsiloxanes, polyarylsiloxanes, polyarylalkylsiloxanes, polyethersiloxanes or silicone resins.

The cosmetic or dermatological preparations are produced by customary methods known to those skilled in the art.

Preferably, the cosmetic and dermatological products are in the form of emulsions, especially of water-in-oil (W/O) or oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions. However, it is also possible to choose other types of formulation, for example hydrodispersions, gels, oils, oleogels, multiple emulsions, for example in the form of W/O/W or O/W/O emulsions, anhydrous ointments or ointment bases, etc.

The emulsions are produced by known methods. As well as at least one inventive polymer composition, the emulsions generally comprise customary constituents such as fatty alcohols, fatty acid esters and especially fatty acid triglycerides, fatty acids, lanolin and derivatives thereof, natural or synthetic oils, or waxes and emulsifiers in the presence of water. The selection of additives specific to the type of emulsion and the production of suitable emulsions is described, for example, in Schrader, Grundlagen und Rezepturen der Kosmetika, Hüthig Buch Verlag, Heidelberg, 2nd edition, 1989, part three, which is hereby explicitly incorporated by reference.

A suitable emulsion, for example for a skin cream etc., generally comprises an aqueous phase which has been emulsified by means of a suitable emulsifier system in an oil phase or fatty phase.

Preferred fatty components which may be present in the fatty phase of the emulsions are: hydrocarbon oils, such as paraffin oil, purcellin oil, perhydrosqualene and solutions of microcrystalline waxes in these oils; animal or vegetable oils, such as sweet almond oil, avocado oil, calophylum oil, lanolin and derivatives thereof, castor oil, sesame oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, karité oil, hoplostethus oil; mineral oils having an initial boiling point under atmospheric pressure of about 250° C. and a final boiling point of 410° C., for example vaseline oil; esters of saturated or unsaturated fatty acids, such as alkyl myristates, e.g. i-propyl, butyl or cetyl myristate, hexadecyl stearate, ethyl or isopropyl palmitate, octanoic or decanoic acid triglycerides and cetyl ricinoleate.

The fatty phase may also comprise silicone oils soluble in other oils, such as dimethylpolysiloxane, methylphenylpolysiloxane and the silicone glycol copolymer, fatty acids and fatty alcohols.

It is also possible to use waxes, for example carnauba wax, candelilla wax, beeswax, microcrystalline wax, ozocerite wax and Ca, Mg and Al oleates, myristates, linoleates and stearates.

In addition, an inventive emulsion may take the form of an O/W emulsion. Such an emulsion typically comprises an oil phase, emulsifiers which stabilize the oil phase in the water phase, and an aqueous phase which is usually in thickened form. Useful emulsifiers are preferably O/W emulsifiers, such as polyglyceryl esters, sorbitan esters or partly esterified glycerides.

In a further preferred embodiment, the inventive products are a shower gel, a shampoo formulation or a bathing preparation.

Formulations of this kind comprise at least one inventive polymer composition and typically anionic surfactants as base surfactants and amphoteric and/or nonionic surfactants as cosurfactants. Further suitable actives and/or auxiliaries are generally selected from lipids, perfume oils, dyes, organic acids, preservatives and antioxidants, and also thickeners/gel formers, skin conditioners and moisturizers.

These formulations comprise preferably 2 to 50% by weight, preferably 5 to 40% by weight, particularly preferably 8 to 30% by weight, of surfactants, based on the total weight of the formulation.

In the washing, showering and bathing preparations, it is possible to use any of the anionic, uncharged, amphoteric or cationic surfactants customarily used in personal care products.

Suitable surfactants are those mentioned above.

In addition, the shower gel/shampoo formulations may comprise further thickeners, for example sodium chloride, PEG-55, propylene glycol oleate, PEG-120 methylglucose dioleate and others, and also preservatives, further actives and auxiliaries and water.

In a further preferred embodiment, the inventive product is a hair treatment composition.

Inventive hair treatment compositions preferably comprise at least one inventive polymer composition in an amount in the range from about 0.1% to 30% by weight, preferably 0.5% to 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

Preferably, the inventive hair treatment compositions are in the form of a setting foam, hair mousse, hair gel, shampoo, hairspray, hair foam, end fluids, neutralizer for permanent waves or hot-oil treatments. According to the area of application, the hair-cosmetic preparations can be applied in the form of (aerosol) spray, (aerosol) foam, gel, gel spray, cream, lotion or wax. Hairsprays encompass both aerosol sprays and pump sprays without propellant gas. Hair foams encompass both aerosol foams and pump foams without propellant gas. Hairsprays and hair foams preferably comprise predominantly or exclusively water-soluble or water-dispersible components. If the compounds used in the inventive hairsprays and hair foams are water-dispersible, they can be employed in the form of aqueous microdispersions having particle diameters of typically 1 to 350 nm, preferably 1 to 250 nm. The solids contents of these preparations are typically within a range from about 0.5 to 20% by weight. These microdispersions generally do not require any emulsifiers or surfactants for their stabilization.

In a preferred embodiment, the inventive hair-cosmetic formulations comprise

-   a) 0.05% to 5% by weight, preferably 0.1% to 3% by weight, of at     least one inventive polymer composition, -   b) 20% to 99.95% by weight of water and/or alcohol, -   c) 0% to 50% by weight of at least one propellant gas, -   d) 0% to 5% by weight of at least one emulsifier, -   e) 0.05% to 5% by weight of at least one cosmetic active, and -   f) 0% to 20% by weight, preferably 0.1% to 10% by weight, of at     least one water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer other than a)     to e) and g), -   g) 0 to 45% by weight, preferably 0.05 to 25% by weight, of further     constituents,     where components a) to g) add up to 100% by weight.

“Alcohol” is understood to mean any alcohols customary in cosmetics, e.g. ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol.

“Further constituents” are understood to mean the additives customary in cosmetics, for example propellants, defoamers, interface-active compounds, i.e. surfactants, emulsifiers, foam formers and solubilizers. The interface-active compounds used may be anionic, cationic, amphoteric or uncharged. Further customary constituents may also be, for example, preservatives, perfume oils, opacifiers, actives, UV filters, care substances such as panthenol, collagen, vitamins, protein hydrolyzates, alpha- and beta-hydroxycarboxylic acids, stabilizers, pH regulators, dyes, viscosity regulators, gel formers, salts, humectants, refatting agents, complexing agents and further customary additives.

Also included here are all the styling and conditioning polymers known in cosmetics which can be used in combination with the inventive polymers, if very specific properties are to be established.

Suitable conventional hair cosmetic polymers are, for example, the aforementioned cationic, anionic, uncharged, nonionic and amphoteric polymers, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

To establish certain properties, the preparations may additionally also comprise conditioning substances based on silicone compounds. Suitable silicone compounds are, for example, polyalkylsiloxanes, polyarylsiloxanes, polyarylalkylsiloxanes, polyethersiloxanes, silicone resins or dimethicone copolyols (CTFA) and aminofunctional silicone compounds such as amodimethicones (CTFA).

The inventive polymer compositions are especially suitable as thickeners in hairstyling formulations, especially hair foams and hair gels.

Emulsifiers used may be any of the emulsifiers customarily used in hair foams. Suitable emulsifiers may be nonionic, cationic or anionic, or amphoteric.

The inventive polymer compositions are also suitable for styling gels. Additional gel formers used may be any of the gel formers customary in cosmetics. In this regard, reference is made to the aforementioned conventional thickeners.

The inventive polymer compositions are also suitable for shampoo formulations additionally comprising customary surfactants.

In the shampoo formulations, particular effects can be achieved using customary conditioners in combination with the inventive polymer compositions. Examples of these include the aforementioned cationic polymers with the INCI name Polyquaternium, especially copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone/N-vinylimidazolium salts (Luviquat® FC, Luviquat® HM, Luviquat® MS, Luviquat® Care), copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone/dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, quaternized with diethyl sulfate (Luviquat® PQ 11), copolymers of N-vinylcaprolactam/N-vinylpyrrolidone/N-vinylimidazolium salts (Luviquat® Hold); cationic cellulose derivatives (Polyquaternium-4 and -10), acrylamide copolymers (Polyquaternium-7). In addition, it is possible to use protein hydrolyzates, and conditioning substances based on silicone compounds, for example polyalkylsiloxanes, polyarylsiloxanes, polyarylalkylsiloxanes, polyethersiloxanes or silicone resins. Further suitable silicone compounds are dimethicone copolyols (CTFA) and aminofunctional silicone compounds such as amodimethicones (CTFA). In addition, it is possible to use cationic guar derivatives such as guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride (INCI).

The inventive polymer compositions are likewise suitable for use in pharmaceutical formulations of any kind and in the coating of such pharmaceutical formulations.

The invention further provides for the use of a compound of the formula (I) or of the formula (I.1) as defined above as an auxiliary in pharmacy.

Typical pharmaceutical compositions comprise

-   A) at least one inventive polymer composition as defined above, -   B) at least one pharmaceutically acceptable active and -   C) optionally at least one further pharmaceutically acceptable     auxiliary other than A) and B).

Pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliaries C) are auxiliaries which are known to be usable in the field of pharmacy, food technology and related fields, especially those listed in the relevant pharmacopoeias (e.g. DAB, Ph. Eur., BP, NF), and other auxiliaries whose properties do not preclude a physiological application.

Suitable auxiliaries C) may be: lubricants, wetting agents, emulsifiers and suspension media, preservatives, antioxidants, antiirritants, chelating agents, emulsion stabilizers, film formers, gel formers, odor-masking agents, resins, hydrocolloids, solvents, solubilizers, neutralizers, permeation accelerators, pigments, quaternary ammonium compounds, refatting and superfatting agents, ointment, cream or oil bases, silicone derivatives, stabilizers, sterilizers, propellants, desiccants, opacifiers, additional thickeners, waxes, plasticizers, white oils. This kind of configuration is based on specialist knowledge, as represented, for example, in Fiedler, H. P. Lexikon der Hilfsstoffe für Pharmazie, Kosmetik und angrenzende Gebiete [Lexicon of Auxiliaries for Pharmacy, Cosmetics and Related Fields], 4th ed., Aulendorf: ECV-Editio-Kantor-Verlag, 1996.

To produce inventive pharmaceutical products, the actives can be mixed or diluted with a suitable excipient. Excipients may be solid, semisolid or liquid materials which can serve as a vehicle, carrier or medium for the active. Further auxiliaries are added, if desired, in the manner known to the person skilled in the art. More particularly, these are aqueous solutions or solubilizates for oral or parenteral administration. Furthermore, the copolymers for use in accordance with the invention are also suitable for use in oral administration forms such as tablets, capsules, powders, solutions. Here, they can provide the sparingly soluble drug with increased bioavailability. In the case of parenteral administration, as well as solubilizates, it is also possible to use emulsions, for example fatty emulsions.

Pharmaceutical formulations of the type specified above can be obtained by processing the inventive polymer composition with pharmaceutical actives by conventional methods and using known and new actives.

Depending on the active, the content of at least one inventive polymer composition in the pharmaceutical compositions is in the range from 0.01% to 50% by weight, preferably 0.1% to 40% by weight, particularly preferably 1% to 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the product.

For production of the inventive pharmaceutical products, all pharmaceutical actives and prodrugs are suitable in principle. These include benzodiazepines, antihypertensives, vitamins, cytostatics, especially taxol, anesthetics, neuroleptics, antidepressants, antibiotics, antimycotics, fungicides, chemotherapeutics, urologics, platelet aggregation inhibitors, sulfonamides, spasmolytics, hormones, immunoglobulins, sera, thyroid therapeutics, psychopharmaceuticals, Parkinson's drugs and other antihyperkinetics, ophthalmics, neuropathy preparations, calcium metabolism regulators, muscle relaxants, narcotics, antilipemics, liver therapeutics, coronary drugs, cardiac drugs, immunotherapeutics, regulatory peptides and their inhibitors, hypnotics, sedatives, gynecological drugs, gout remedies, fibrinolytics, enzyme preparations and transport proteins, enzyme inhibitors, emetics, perfusion promoters, diuretics, diagnostics, corticoids, cholinergics, biliary therapeutics, antiasthmatics, broncholytics, beta-receptor blockers, calcium antagonists, ACE inhibitors, arteriosclerosis remedies, antiphlogistics, anticoagulants, antihypotensives, antihypoglycemics, antihypertensives, antifibrinolytics, antiepileptics, antiemetics, antidotes, antidiabetics, antiarrhythmics, antianemics, antiallergics, anthelmintics, analgesics, analeptics, aldosterone antagonists and slimming drugs. Examples of suitable pharmaceutical actives are especially the actives mentioned in paragraphs 0105 to 0131 of US 2003/0157170.

As well as for use in cosmetics and in pharmacy, the inventive polymer compositions are also suitable in the food and drink sector. In the context of the present invention, food and drink preparations are also understood to mean food supplements, for example preparations comprising food and drink dyes and dietetic foods and drinks. Moreover, the inventive polymer compositions are also suitable for feed supplements for animal nutrition.

The inventive polymer compositions are also suitable for production of formulations of food supplements such as water-insoluble vitamins and provitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin A acetate, vitamin D, vitamin E, tocopherol derivatives such as tocopherol acetate, and vitamin K.

Crop Protection Compositions

The inventive composition is also advantageously suitable for formulation of crop protection compositions. It has been found that, surprisingly, the inventive polymer composition in gel form has a high compatibility with a multitude of crop protection actives and adjuvants.

A preferred crop protection composition preferably comprises the following constituents:

-   -   at least one inventive polymer composition in gel form,     -   at least one active,     -   optionally at least one adjuvant,     -   optionally water,     -   optionally at least one thickener, and     -   optionally at least one further additive.

Suitable actives for use in the inventive crop protection compositions are, for example, those which belong to the group of the herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, growth regulators, safeners, acaricides, molluscicides and nematicides.

In many cases, the addition of adjuvants, for example of oils, specific solvents, surfactants or surfactant mixtures, is advantageous. In crop protection, adjuvants are auxiliaries which increase the activity of an active (here: crop protection compositions) and/or the selectivity thereof in relation to the desired effect (for example fungicidal, insecticidal, herbicidal, bactericidal, nematicidal, growth-regulating effect), but which alone have only a very small effect, if any, in terms of crop protection activity. The effect of adjuvants is in many cases based on their interfacial activity, which improves contact of the administration form of the active with the surface of the plant and, by reducing the surface tension, improves the penetration of the administration form and hence of the active into the soil.

In a preferred embodiment, the inventive crop protection composition itself is in gel form.

If at least one active is present in the phase in gel form, it is present in the phase in a total amount of preferably 2% to 60% by weight, more preferably of 5% of 50% by weight and especially of 10% to 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the phase.

If the at least one adjuvant is present in the phase in gel form, it is present in the phase in a total amount of preferably 2% to 50% by weight, more preferably of 5% of 40% by weight and especially of 10% to 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the phase.

By virtue of the embedding into a gel, the active and/or adjuvant can be present in much greater amounts in the inventive gel formulation than is possible in standard liquid formulations.

The inventive crop protection composition may additionally comprise at least one thickener. Suitable thickeners are those mentioned above as component f), to which reference is made here in full. The inventive crop protection composition preferably comprises thickeners in an amount of 0.002% to 10% by weight, more preferably of 0.02% to 10% by weight, even more preferably of 0.04% to 2% by weight, particularly of 0.1% to 1% by weight and especially of 0.1% to 0.6% by weight, based on the total weight of the crop protection composition.

As well as the inventive polymer composition in gel form, at least one active, optionally at least one adjuvant and optionally at least one thickener, the inventive crop protection composition may comprise further components. These include, for example, dispersants, defoamers, preservatives, biocides, organic solvents, antifreezes and the like.

Suitable dispersants or surfactants are preferably nonionic. In principle, they may be similar in nature to the above-described adjuvants, in which case they differ from the latter by a generally higher molecular weight. Suitable molecular weights for dispersants are in the range from about 1000 g/mol (e.g. phosphated tristyrylphenol ethoxylate, such as Soprophor 3D33 from Rhodia) up to several thousand g/mol in the case of comb polymers (e.g. Atlox 4913 from Croda). Defoamers are preferably silicone-based defoamers. A suitable preservative is, for example, dichlorophen. Suitable biocides are, for example, isothiazolinones, such as benzylisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone. Suitable antifreezes are, for example, glycerol, ethylene glycol and propylene glycol.

Similarly, it is also possible to produce veterinary medicine administration forms, especially rumen-stable forms, and also administration forms containing vitamins, carotenoids, trace elements, nutraceuticals, amino acids and food supplements. The latter can also serve as foods or supplements.

The invention further provides for the use of an inventive polymer composition, as defined above, for membrane production, in cosmetics, in crop protection, for seed coating, in food and drink, in animal nutrition, as adhesive raw materials, for papermaking, as a binder or auxiliary for leather and textiles, as a microbicidal surface coating, in the nonwovens sector, in washing and cleaning compositions, for production of paints, in the construction sector.

The invention is illustrated in detail by the figures examples described hereinafter. At the same time, the figures and examples should not be understood such that they restrict the invention.

In the figures which follow, the following abbreviations are used:

-   -   EO: ethylene oxide     -   PO: propylene oxide     -   BO: butylene oxide     -   M_(n): number-average molecular weight     -   M_(w): weight-average molecular weight     -   PET: polyethylene terephthalate     -   T_(L): transparency value     -   n.d.: not determined     -   rad/s: radiant per second     -   pphm: parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of monomer (parts         per hundred monomer).

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the viscosity of a sample of the polymer composition from example 19 of table 1 as a function of angular frequency.

FIG. 2 shows the loss and storage moduli of a sample of the polymer composition from example 19 of table 1 as a function of angular frequency.

EXAMPLES I) Analysis

I.a) Determination of Water Solubility

To determine water solubility, 5 g of the particular polymer composition were introduced into a 1 l beaker, and 900 ml of water which had been heated to 40° C. beforehand were added. The mixture was stirred with a magnetic stirrer at 40′C for 20 minutes and the pH was adjusted to 8 with sodium hydroxide solution. Water-soluble polymer gels led to transparent or slightly cloudy solutions.

I.b) Determination of Weight-Average Molecular Weight (M_(w)):

The weight-average molecular weight of the polymer was determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). For this purpose, the following instruments and chromatography methods were used:

-   Standard: polyacrylic acid, neutralized -   Eluent: 0.08 mol/l Tris, pH 7.0, +0.15 mol/l NaCl+0.01 mol/l NaN₃ in     deionized water -   Flow rate: 0.8 ml/min -   Column set: 1 precolumn (l=5 cm), 2 separation columns (l=30 cm     each) -   Column temperature: 35° C. -   Detector: DRI (refractive index detector) Agilent 1100     I.c) Viscosity Measurements -   Measuring instrument: DHR-1 rotary rheometer from TA Instruments     with Peltier system -   Measurement geometry: plate-plate, Ø 40 mm, h˜1.0 mm -   Test: frequency sweep @ 25° C. -   Measurement temperature(s): 25° C. -   Measurement time: about 20 min

II) Preparation Examples General Preparation Method

A glass reactor equipped with three feeds, nitrogen inlet and an anchor stirrer was initially charged with the polyether component (PE) and the solvent (S) in an amount according to table 1, purged with nitrogen for a couple of minutes and heated to 75° C. Subsequently, feeds 1 to 3 were added simultaneously to the initial charge at 75° C. and while stirring at 100 revolutions/minute within 4 hours. Feed 1 comprised monomer (M), feed 2 comprised an initiator (FRI) dissolved in a small amount of solvent (S), and feed 3 comprised the chain transfer agent (CTA) and optionally further solvent After the addition of feeds 1, 2 and 3, the mixture was stirred at 75° C. and at 100 revolutions/minute for a further hour for continued polymerization. Subsequently, the polymer was poured into a beaker and cooled immediately to room temperature. The inventive polymer compositions of examples 1 to 19 were prepared by this general preparation method.

For production of the inventive polymer compositions, the following feedstocks were used:

-   M1: acrylic acid -   M2: methacrylic acid -   M3: ethyldiglycol acrylate -   M4: 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate -   M5: acrylamide -   PE1: polyethylene oxide having C_(x)H_(2x+1)/C_(y)H_(2y+1)     termination at either end and having a free OH group and x, y=6-14 -   PE2: C₁₃ oxo alcohol ethoxylate with 20 EO -   PE3: propoxylated ethylene glycol having an EO content of 50% -   PE4: polyethylene glycol, molecular weight of 400 g/mol -   PE5: polypropylene glycol, molecular weight of 400 g/mol -   PE6: alkyl polyglucoside -   CTA1: 2-mercaptoethanol -   CTA2: sodium hypophosphite, 55% aqueous solution -   S1: water -   S2: isopropanol -   FRI1: tert-butyl peroxyneodecanoate (purity: 97%) (CAS No.     26748-41-4) -   FRI2: 2,2′-azobis(2-methylproplonamidine) dihydrochloride (CAS No.     2997-92-4)

The polymer compositions of examples 1 to 19 were obtained in the form of gels. The consistency and properties are reported in table 2.

TABLE 1 Initial charge Feed 2 Feed 3 Ex. PE [g] S [g] Feed 1 FRI [g] S [g] CTA S [g] No. (PE no.) (S no.) M [g] (FRI no.) (S no.) [g] (S no.) 1 120 (1) 162 (1) 360 (1) 8.45 (1) 30 (2) 18 (1) / 2 120 (1) 162 (1) 297 (1) + 63 (2)   9.1 (2) 41 (1) 18 (1) / 3 120 (1) 162 (1) 252 (1) + 108 (2)  9.1 (2) 41 (1) 18 (1) / 4 120 (1) 162 (1) 164 (1) + 196 (2)  9.1 (2) 41 (1) 18 (1) / 5 200 (1) 263 (1) 158 (1) + 442 (2) 15.2 (2) 75 (1) 30 (1) / 6 120 (1) 162 (1) 360 (2)  9.1 (2) 41 (1) 18 (1) / 7 320 (1) 162 (1) 146 (1) + 174 (2)  8.1 (2) 42 (1) 16 (1) / 8 160 (1) 162 (1) 146 (1) + 174 (2)  8.1 (2) 42 (1) 16 (1) / 9 150 (1) 243 (1) 273 (1) + 327 (2) 15.2 (2) 75 (1) 30 (1) / 10 120 (1) 231 (1) 273 (1) + 327 (2) 15.2 (2) 75 (1) 30 (1) / 11 250 (1) 247 (1) 387 (1) + 113 (3) 3.55 (2) 46 (1) 10 (1) + 27 (2) 28 (1) 12 250 (1) 247 (1) 409 (1) + 91 (4)  3.55 (2) 46 (1) 10 (1) + 27 (2) 28 (1) 13 250 (1) 198 (1) 451 (1) + 99 (5)  3.55 (2) 46 (1) 10 (1) + 27 (2) 28 (1) 14 250 (2) 247 (1) 500 (1) 3.55 (2) 46 (1) 10 (1) + 27 (2) 28 (1) 15 250 (3) 247 (1) 500 (1) 3.55 (2) 46 (1) 10 (1) + 27 (2) 28 (1) 16 250 (4) 247 (1) 500 (1) 3.55 (2) 46 (1) 10 (1) + 27 (2) 28 (1) 17 250 (5) 247 (1) 500 (1) 3.55 (2) 46 (1) 10 (1) + 27 (2) 28 (1) 18 250 (6) 247 (1) 500 (1) 3.55 (2) 46 (1) 10 (1) + 27 (2) 28 (1) 19 200 (1) 285 (1) 600 (1) 4.26 (2) 41 (1) 12 (1) + 33 (2) 25 (1)

TABLE 2 Mw Visual Ex. No. [g/mol] Form assessment 1 5700 gel transparent 2 3800 gel transparent 3 4200 gel transparent 4 3500 gel transparent 5 4100 gel transparent 6 3500 gel transparent 7 3400 gel transparent 8 3700 gel transparent 9 4200 gel transparent 10 4500 gel transparent 11 4800 gel transparent 12 5700 gel transparent 13 5500 gel transparent 14 5400 gel transparent 15 5500 gel transparent 16 5800 gel transparent 17 5700 gel transparent 18 6800 gel transparent 19 6200 gel transparent 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A process for preparing a polymer composition in gel form, comprising a) providing a monomer composition M) comprising A) at least one α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and B) less than 0.1% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomer composition M), of crosslinking monomers having two or more polymerizable α,β-ethylenically unsaturated double bonds per molecule, where component A) is optionally partly replaced by C) at least one unsaturated sulfonic acid or unsaturated phosphonic acid, b) subjecting the monomer composition M) provided in step a) to a free-radical polymerization in the presence of at least one polyether component PE), which does not have any copolymerizable double bonds, selected from polyetherols having a number-average molecular weight of at least 200 g/mol and the mono- and di-(C₁-C₆-alkyl ethers) thereof, surfactants containing polyether groups and mixtures thereof, and wherein the free-radical polymerization in step b) is additionally effected in the presence of a solvent S) selected from the group consisting of water, C₁-C₆-alkanols, polyols other than PE), the mono- and dialkyl ethers thereof, aprotic polar solvents and mixtures thereof, to prepare a polymer in gel form.
 2. The process according to claim 1, wherein the polyether component PE) comprises a polyetherol having repeat propylene oxide units or a mono-or di-(C₁-C₆-alkyl ether) of a polyetherol having repeat propylene oxide units, and the proportion of these repeat propylene oxide units averages not more than 18 units per molecule.
 3. The process according to claim 1, wherein the polymer composition in gel form comprises at least 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer composition, of at least one solvent S) selected from the group consisting of water, C₁-C₆-alkanols, polyols other than PE), the mono- and dialkyl ethers thereof, aprotic polar solvents and mixtures thereof.
 4. The process according to claim 1, wherein the polymerization in step b) is effected in feed mode, by initially charging at least a portion of the polyether component PE) and optionally, at least a portion of the solvent S), and supplying at least a portion of the monomer composition provided in step a) and at least one free-radical initiator FRI) to the initial charge.
 5. The process according to claim 1, wherein the free-radical polymerization in step b) is effected in the presence of the solvent S) and the reaction mixture at the start of the reaction in step b) comprises the solvent S) in an amount of 0% to 90% by weight, based on the total weight of the reaction mixture, the reaction mixture after conclusion of the reaction in step b) comprises the solvent S) in an amount of 0% to 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the reaction mixture.
 6. The process according to claim 1, wherein the solvent S) is selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, water, and mixtures thereof.
 7. The process according to claim 1, wherein the solvent S) comprises at least 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the solvent S), of water.
 8. The process according to claim 1, wherein the free-radical polymerization in step b) is effected in feed mode, and feeds comprising at least one α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid do not comprise any solvent S).
 9. The process according to claim 1, wherein the polymerization in step b) is effected at a temperature in the range from 20 to 90° C.
 10. The process according to claim 1, wherein the α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid A) is selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, α-chloroacrylic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, mesaconic acid, glutaconic acid, aconitic acid, fumaric acid, and mixtures thereof.
 11. The process according to claim 1, wherein the monomer composition M) further comprises, as component C), at least one unsaturated sulfonic acid or unsaturated phosphonic acid.
 12. The process according to claim 1, wherein the monomer composition M) comprises at least 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomer composition M), of acrylic acid.
 13. The process according to claim 1, wherein the monomer composition M) additionally comprises at least one monomer D) selected from the group consisting of compounds of the general formulae (I.a) and (I.b)

wherein the sequence of the alkylene oxide units is arbitrary, k and l are each independently an integer from 0 to 1000, where the sum of k and 1 is at least 2, R¹ is hydrogen or C₁-C₈-alkyl, R² is hydrogen, C₁-C₃₀-alkyl, C₂-C₃₀-alkenyl or C₅-C₈-cycloalkyl, X is O or a group of the formula NR³ in which R³ is H, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or hetaryl.
 14. The process according to claim 1, wherein the monomer composition M) additionally comprises at least one comonomer selected from the group consisting of E) vinylaromatics, F) C₂-C₈ monoolefins, nonaromatic hydrocarbons having at least two conjugated double bonds, G) esters of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic acids with C₁-C₃₀-alkanols, H) compounds having one free-radically polymerizable α,β-ethylenically unsaturated double bond and at least one cationogenic and/or cationic group per molecule, I) esters of vinyl alcohol or allyl alcohol with C₁-C₃₀-monocarboxylic acids, K) monomers containing amide groups, L) esters of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic acids with C₂-C₃₀-alkanediols, amides of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic acids with C₂-C₃₀-amino alcohols having a primary or secondary amino group, M) α,β-ethylenically unsaturated nitriles, N) vinyl halides, vinylidene halides, O) monomers having urea groups, and mixtures thereof.
 15. The process according to claim 1, wherein the monomer composition M) comprises acrylic acid and at least one comonomer selected from the group consisting of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids other than acrylic acid and derivatives thereof, C₂-C₁₀-monoolefins, nonaromatic hydrocarbons having at least two conjugated double bonds, vinylaromatics, N-vinyllactams and mixtures thereof.
 16. The process according to claim 1, wherein the monomer composition M) consists of acrylic acid.
 17. The process according to claim 1, wherein the polyether component PE) comprises at least one polyetherol having a number-average molecular weight in the range from about 200 to 100 000 g/mol or a mono- or di-(C₁-C₂-alkyl ether) thereof.
 18. The process according to claim 1, wherein the polyether component PE) comprises at least one polyetherol or a mono- or di-(C₁-C₂-alkyl ether) thereof comprising exclusively ethylene oxide units as alkylene oxide units.
 19. The process according to claim 1, wherein the polyether component PE) comprises at least one surfactant containing polyether groups, selected from the group consisting of alkyl polyoxyalkylene ethers, aryl polyoxyalkylene ethers, alkylaryl polyoxyalkylene ethers, alkoxylated animal and/or vegetable fats and/or oils, fatty amine alkoxylates, fatty acid amide alkoxylates, fatty acid diethanolamide alkoxylates, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, alkyl polyether sulfates, aryl polyether sulfates, alkylaryl polyether sulfates, alkyl polyether sulfonates, aryl polyether sulfonates, alkylaryl polyether sulfonates, alkyl polyether phosphates, aryl polyether phosphates, alkylaryl polyether phosphates, glyceryl ether sulfonates, glyceryl ether sulfates, monoglyceride (ether) sulfates, fatty acid amide ether sulfates, polyoxyalkylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, and mixtures thereof.
 20. The process according to claim 1, wherein the polyether component PE) comprises at least one surfactant containing polyether groups, selected from the group consisting of: alkyl polyoxyalkylene ethers of the general formula (VI) R¹⁰—O—(CH₂CH₂O)_(x)—(CHR¹¹CH₂O)_(y)—R¹² wherein R^(w) is a linear or branched alkyl radical having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, R¹¹ and R¹² are each independently hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl radical having 1-10 carbon atoms, and x and y are each independently 0 to 300, where the sum of x and y is >0; surfactants containing hydroxyl groups of the general formula (VII) R¹³—O—(CH₂CH₂O)_(s)—(CH₂CH₂CH₂O)_(t)—(CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂O)_(u)—(CH₂CHR¹⁴O)_(v)—CH₂CH(OH)R¹⁵ where the sequence of the alkylene oxide units in the compounds of the formula (VII) is arbitrary, s, t, u and v are each independently an integer from 0 to 500, where the sum of s, t, u and v is >0, R¹³ and R¹⁵ are each independently a straight-chain or branched saturated C₁-C₄₀-alkyl radical or a mono- or polyunsaturated C₂-C₄₀-alkerryl radical, and R¹⁴ is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl or n-butyl; fatty alcohol polyoxyalkylene esters of the general formula (VIII) R¹⁶—O—(CH₂CH₂O)_(p)—(CH₂CHR¹⁷O)_(q)—C(═O)R¹⁸ where the sequence of the alkylene oxide units in the compounds of the formula (VIII) is arbitrary, p and q are each independently an integer from 0 to 500, where the sum of p and q is >0, R¹⁶ and R¹⁸ are each independently a straight-chain or branched saturated C₁-C₄₀-alkyl radical or a mono- or polyunsaturated C₂-C₄₀-alkenyl radical, and R¹⁷ is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl or n-butyl.
 21. The process according to claim 1, wherein the at least one α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid is used in non-neutralized form for polymerization.
 22. The process according to claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of the monomer mixture M) to the component PE) is in the range from 1:10 to 10:1.
 23. The process according to claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of the component PE) to the component S) is in the range from 0.3:1 to 5:1.
 24. A process for preparing a polymer composition in gel form, consisting of a) providing a monomer composition M) consisting of acrylic acid subjecting the monomer composition M) provided in step a) to a free-radical polymerization in the presence of at least one polyether component PE), which does not have any copolymerizable double bonds, and which comprises at least one polyetherol or a mono- or di-(C₁-C₂-alkyl ether) thereof comprising exclusively ethylene oxide units as alkylene oxide units having a number-average molecular weight of at least 200 g/mol, and wherein the free-radical polymerization in step b) is additionally effected in the presence of a solvent S) selected from the group consisting of water, C₁-C₆-alkanols, polyols other than PE), the mono- and dialkyl ethers thereof, aprotic polar solvents and mixtures thereof, to prepare a polymer in gel form. 